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
Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025
The newscast was rebooted earlier this year under 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, but Owens exited the company a few months later, citing interference from network executives.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Faison has been seen on the Freeform show Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, with additional roles in films including Sweet Dreams and 2022’s Hellraiser reboot.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
While the show has since been rebooted to include the original cast's spouses and children, Polizzi said a lot of people refuse to see her as anything other than an early 2000s-era party girl.
—Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025
The newscast was rebooted earlier this year under 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, but Owens exited the company a few months later, citing interference from network executives.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Also, Englund doesn’t necessarily blame the 2010 reboot that was so poorly received.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
Faison has been seen on the Freeform show Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, with additional roles in films including Sweet Dreams and 2022’s Hellraiser reboot.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Oct. 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 4 Nov. 2025.
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