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
Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Under a new strategic alliance announced last month, the two partners are rebooting sports entertainment series Sasuke Vietnam (known locally as Khong Gioi Han), which has already run for several seasons and sold to 25 territories.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 31 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
The Miami Dolphins franchise has finally held down the power and home bottom for 5 to 10 seconds, rebooting South Florida’s NFL franchise.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Under a new strategic alliance announced last month, the two partners are rebooting sports entertainment series Sasuke Vietnam (known locally as Khong Gioi Han), which has already run for several seasons and sold to 25 territories.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 31 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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