bootstrap

1 of 3

noun

boot·​strap ˈbüt-ˌstrap How to pronounce bootstrap (audio)
1
: a looped strap sewed at the side or the rear top of a boot to help in pulling it on
2
bootstraps plural : unaided efforts
often used in the phrase by one's own bootstraps

bootstrap

2 of 3

adjective

1
: designed to function independently of outside direction : capable of using one internal function or process to control another
a bootstrap operation to load a computer
2
: carried out with minimum resources or advantages
bootstrap efforts

bootstrap

3 of 3

verb

bootstrapped; bootstrapping

transitive verb

: to promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance
bootstrapped herself to the top
… turns out to be pretty talented at identifying and bootstrapping promising creative endeavors.Harry McCracken
bootstrapper noun

Examples of bootstrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
By nature of the state support they’re afforded, the average Chinese manufacturer is going to have much newer and more advanced equipment than counterparts in the U.S. At risk of sounding cliché: American manufacturers need to continue to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Ethan Karp, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Studies show that eight out of ten startups bootstrap, relying on their personal capital and profits. Sabeer Nelliparamban, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The bootstrap origin story of the man who allegedly invented the cult-favorite snack Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is being told in a new feature film directed by actress and Corpus Christi native Eva Longoria. Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2023
Verb
This perspective has led Anderson to eschew traditional VC funding, instead opting to bootstrap Apex with his own capital. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 Investors purchase nodes to earn future returns, helping the company bootstrap its infrastructure while fostering a vested interest among participants. Tomer Warschauer Nuni, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bootstrap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bootstrap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boot entry 3 + strap entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of bootstrap entry 1

Verb

derivative of bootstrap entry 1 or bootstrap entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bootstrap was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near bootstrap

Cite this Entry

“Bootstrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bootstrap. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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