booster

American  

[boo-ster] / ˈbu stər /

noun

• boosters
  plural

1. a person or thing that boosts, especially an energetic and enthusiastic supporter.

2. Electricity. a device connected in series with a current for increasing or decreasing the nominal circuit voltage.

3. Railroads. any machine, device, phenomenon, etc., that helps to move a train, as a tailwind, downgrade, roller bearings, or especially a helper locomotive.

4. Military. an explosive more powerful than a primer, for ensuring the detonation of the main charge of a shell.

5. Rocketry.

   1. a rocket engine used as the principal source of thrust in the takeoff of a rocket or missile.

   2. the first stage containing this engine and its fuel supply, which may or may not be detached from the rocket when the fuel has been consumed.

6. Also called booster shot.  Also called booster dose,.  Medicine/Medical. a dose of an immunizing substance given to maintain or renew the effect of a previous one.

7. Pharmacology. a chemical compound, medicinal substance, or the like, that serves as a synergist.

8. a radio-frequency amplifier for connecting between a radio or television antenna and the receiving set to intensify the received signal.

9. an auxiliary pump, used in a pipeline or other system, to add to or maintain a prevailing amount of pressure or vacuum.

10. Slang. a shoplifter or petty thief.

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booster British  

/ ˈbuːstə /

noun

1. a person or thing that supports, assists, or increases power or effectiveness

2. Also called: launch vehicle.  the first stage of a multistage rocket

3. radio television

   1. a radio-frequency amplifier connected between an aerial and a receiver to amplify weak incoming signals

   2. a radio-frequency amplifier that amplifies incoming signals, retransmitting them at higher power

4. another name for supercharger

5. short for booster dose

6. slang a shoplifter

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booster Scientific  

/ bo̅o̅′stər /

1. An additional dose of an immunizing agent, such as a vaccine or toxoid, given at a time period of weeks to years after the initial dose to sustain the immune response elicited by the first dose. Tetanus, diphtheria, and measles vaccines are commonly given in booster doses.

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Usage

What is a booster shot? A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given to a person in order to maintain or renew the effect of a previous dose. This is sometimes called a booster dose (especially since vaccines aren’t always given via shots) or simply a booster. Vaccines strengthen the body’s immunity against disease. They work by introducing a killed, weakened, or otherwise modified version of a specific disease (such as a virus or bacterium) so that the body’s immune system will produce antibodies that will destroy those specific pathogens if they ever enter the body again. A booster shot basically refreshes the immune system’s memory of a disease in order to strengthen immunity—it “boosts” the existing defenses. Booster shots are commonly given to both children and adults. Common vaccines that typically involve one or multiple booster shots include those against tetanus, hepatitis A, human papillomavirus (HPV), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The timing of the booster shot varies depending on the vaccine—some are given a few months after the initial dose, while others are given years later. Medical organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide immunization schedules that recommend the frequency of booster shots.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• boosterish
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• boosters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of booster

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; boost + -er ¹

Explanation

If you’re a big fan and promoter of something or someone, you're a booster. Go team! A booster provides support, like a kid’s booster seat, a follow-up dose of medicine, or a booster rocket that launches the Space Shuttle. Boosters of teams, groups, or organizations often form official clubs to coordinate their fundraising and event planning. Another kind of booster is an engine or rocket that's the first stage of launching a space vehicle into orbit. And in medicine, a booster is a second (or subsequent) dose of a vaccine that helps the initial dose work better. All of these boosters assist, encourage, or boost in some way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

booster boosters

The Times, a longtime Mulholland booster, blamed “a faulty system which loads upon any man’s shoulders, no matter how broad, responsibilities that are too heavy for any man to bear.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

"Nasa will continue to track the booster for training purposes, as well as later observe the impact site for scientific purposes."

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Starship’s Super Heavy booster successfully carried out the high-thrust portion of a boost-back burn with all 33 Raptor 3 engines, before it ended the burn early, according to SpaceX.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

A previous attempt at launch was abruptly scrubbed just as the booster began to ignite, in an automatic stoppage that occurred after some engines did not start.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

“Just don’t touch anything rusty. You haven’t had your booster shot.”

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor

It uses three connected rocket boosters to provide the thrust needed to carry large spacecraft into space.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

Kennedy was one of USC’s most visible and vocal boosters during its glory years under football coach Pete Carroll.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

By reusing boosters - which are generally seen as the most valuable part of a rocket - the cost of satellite launches and space exploration can be significantly lowered.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

Giant defense contractors could benefit from DSRB-backed financing, say boosters, because government budgets often fluctuate annually, raising funding uncertainty that can increase borrowing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

That was the gang of organized boosters, who would deliver, to order, in one day, C.O.D., any kind of garment you desired.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• backer
• enthusiast
• patron
• promoter