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
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
The series is being rebooted by Warner for a streaming series featuring new actors and, likely new takes on the locations which could make Universal’s attractions obsolete.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 July 2025
Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
The dinosaur epic, which rebooted the long-running property with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali, has grossed $317 million in North America and $766 million globally.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Aug. 2025
The series is being rebooted by Warner for a streaming series featuring new actors and, likely new takes on the locations which could make Universal’s attractions obsolete.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
Netflix’s August acquisitions include Love Life (dropping Tuesday, Aug. 5); Outlander Season 7, Part 1 and Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 (both on Monday, Aug. 11); the Quantum Leap reboot (Thursday, Aug. 14); and Extant (Monday, Aug. 18).
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 July 2025
Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 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 7 Aug. 2025.
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