reboot

American  

[ree-boot, ree-boot, ree-boot] / riˈbut, riˈbut, ˈriˌbut /

verb (used with object)

1. to restart (a computer) by loading the operating system; boot again.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of a computer) to be restarted.

noun

1. an act or instance of restarting a computer.

2. an act or instance of making a change in order to establish a new beginning.

   a reboot of our product line.

3. a distinctly new version of an established media franchise.

   The show will be a gritty reboot of the classic TV series from the 1970s.

reboot British  

/ riːˈbuːt /

verb

1. to shut down and restart (a computer system) or (of a computer system) to shut down and restart

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reboot Cultural  

1. A term that comes from computer usage. To reboot a computer is to start it up again after a computer crash. Hence, “reboot” has the connotation of starting a process over again.

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Etymology

Origin of reboot

First recorded in 1970–75; re- ( def. ) + boot ¹ (in the sense “to start a computer”)

Example Sentences

That being said, ExpressVPN’s privacy practices include some gold-standard stuff, like RAM-only servers that are wiped at every reboot and its stringent no-logs policy.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

And for that to happen, the AI trade needs a reboot.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

“You can’t just reboot the Strait of Hormuz like you can change tariffs rates,” Antonelli said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Here is everything we know so far about the HBO reboot, which is a spin-off from the original books and the subsequent film franchise.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

I would play for an hour, or even two; then I’d make one tiny mistake and I’d have to reboot the machine and start all over.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• reset