re·boot
(ˌ)rē-ˈbüt 
rebooted; rebooting; reboots
1
a
transitive + intransitive
: to shut down and restart (a computer or program)
… the annoyance of having to reboot the computer to switch operating systems …—
Robert Weston
Robert WestonIf anything ever happens to the original drive, you can reboot using the cloned drive and be up and running in minutes.—Dan Frakes
Dan Frakes
b
intransitive
: to start up again after closing or shutting down : to boot up again
waiting for a computer/program to reboot
2
a
transitive
: to start (something) anew : to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version
It's probably not an overstatement to say Sandberg is embarking on the most ambitious mission to reboot feminism and reframe discussions of gender since the launch of Ms. magazine in 1971.—Belinda Luscombe
Belinda Luscombereboot an old TV series
b
intransitive
: to start anew : to make a fresh start
The interior designer's heart was telling her to reboot and downsize …—Susan Heeger
Susan Heeger
plural reboots
1
: the act or an instance of shutting down and restarting something (such as a computer or program)
In a few cases, errors cause a headlong exit to DOS or the software ceases to operate, requiring a reboot.—George F. Hepner
George F. Hepner2
: the act or an instance of starting (something) anew or making a fresh start
In a massive reboot last fall, all 200 rooms were done up in geometric rugs and curvy leather headboards.—Jen Murphy
Jen MurphyExamples of reboot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Florida, of all places, has been rebooting intercity passenger rail travel in America.
—New York Times, 1 May 2025
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 May 2025
The network also announced several new series including Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, a reboot of Ladies of London and a Shahs of Sunset spinoff called The Valley: Persian Style.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
Users can also disable remote administration and reboot their routers to cut off this primary access point.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Florida, of all places, has been rebooting intercity passenger rail travel in America.
—New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
Alec Baldwin hosted the last reboot of the show, which launched in 1962 and has aired on CBS, NBC and ABC as well as on syndication.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 May 2025
The network also announced several new series including Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition, a reboot of Ladies of London and a Shahs of Sunset spinoff called The Valley: Persian Style.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
Cite this Entry
“Reboot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reboot. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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