reboot
Americanverb (used with object)
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to restart (a computer) by loading the operating system; boot again.
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to produce a distinctly new version of (an established media franchise, as a film, TV show, video game, or comic book).
The studio is rebooting Spider-Man.
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to make a change in (something) in order to establish a new beginning: Lower interest rates are intended to reboot the economy.
She’s rebooting her career.
Lower interest rates are intended to reboot the economy.
verb (used without object)
noun
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an act or instance of restarting a computer.
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an act or instance of making a change in order to establish a new beginning.
a reboot of our product line.
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a distinctly new version of an established media franchise.
The show will be a gritty reboot of the classic TV series from the 1970s.
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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rebootsimple
-
rebootssimple
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have rebootedperfect
-
has rebootedperfect
-
am rebootingprogressive
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are rebootingprogressive
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is rebootingprogressive
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have been rebootingperfect progressive
-
has been rebootingperfect progressive
Past
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rebootedsimple
-
had rebootedperfect
-
was rebootingprogressive
-
were rebootingprogressive
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had been rebootingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of reboot
First recorded in 1970–75; re- ( def. ) + boot 1 (in the sense “to start a computer”)
Explanation
To reboot is to reload the operating system of a computer: to start it up again. Booting is starting a computer's operating system, so rebooting is to start it for a second or third time. Rebooting is usually necessary after a computer crashes, meaning it stops working because of a malfunction. Rebooting allows the computer to restart and get back to working normally. After a crash, the computer is useless until you reboot. This word has been extended to other types of second beginnings: when a movie series (like Spider-Man) starts over, it has been rebooted.
Vocabulary lists containing reboot
Computer Science and Technology - Introductory
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Computer Science and Technology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The reboot is starting to pay significant dividends.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
He and DC co-chief Gunn have been behind the reboot of the DC Universe, which Safran describes as an attempt to bring all of its heroes "under one creative vision".
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
The first attempt was last year’s reboot of “Superman,” which turned out to be a box-office smash, bringing in $619 million worldwide, including $354 million in the U.S.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026
Fifth place went to MGM's "Masters of the Universe" reboot, which took in just $8.7 million in its second week out -- a 70 percent drop from its already modest debut.
From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026
His only chance of purging the loop was a complete reboot.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
