# reboot

/ɹiˈbut/ (US) · /ɹɪbˈuːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reboot
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to restart a computer

verb · CEFR B1

to turn a computer off and on again to fix a problem or update software.

For teachers: to execute a computer's boot process again, causing the operating system to reload, often to resolve a system failure.

- If the screen freezes, you might need to reboot your laptop.
- The system administrator advised all employees to reboot their workstations following the critical security patch installation.

Usage: Can be used as both a transitive and intransitive verb.

### 2. to start something fresh

verb · CEFR B2

to start a project, career, or plan again from the beginning.

For teachers: to initiate a fresh start for a process, career, or organisation, often after a period of failure or stagnation.

- The company is trying to reboot its image with a new logo and better service.
- After several years of declining sales, the fashion house attempted to reboot the brand by hiring a younger creative director.

### 3. a new version of a series

noun · CEFR B2

a new version of a film, book, or game series that starts the story over.

For teachers: a new version of an established media franchise that discards or ignores previous continuity to start the narrative fresh.

- The latest Batman reboot focuses on his early years as a detective.
- Critics argued that the cinematic reboot lacked the charm of the original trilogy, despite its impressive special effects.

### 4. the act of restarting

noun · CEFR B1

the act of starting a computer or a system again.

For teachers: an instance of restarting a computer system or a process.

- A quick reboot should fix the connection issues you are having.
- The server requires a scheduled reboot every Sunday night to maintain optimal performance levels of performance.

## Examples

- I need to reboot my laptop to fix the error.
- The server crashed during the update, so the IT team had to reboot it before lunch.
- After years of stagnation, the company decided to reboot its marketing strategy by targeting a younger demographic with social media campaigns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.