reboot

1 of 2

verb

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

If anything ever happens to the original drive, you can reboot using the cloned drive and be up and running in minutes.

—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

reboot 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

reboot

2 of 2

noun

re·​boot ˈrē-ˌbüt 

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

2

: 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

Examples of reboot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Madcap schemes, snappy banter, and insights on rebooting one’s joy make Clare Pooley’s latest novel go down smoothly. —Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2024

Jennifer Aniston and Diablo Cody are going to have to clock in a lot of hours to make a 9 to 5 reboot good. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 May 2024

Noun

Though a reboot was reported back in 2020, the cast confirmed there is nothing in the works at the moment — and ultimately likely never will be. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024

Although specifics regarding the death — where, and a cause — were not immediately known, his passing was confirmed by Peter M. Lenkov, executive producer of the 2010-20 Hawaii Five-0 reboot. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1