Reboot: meaning, definitions and examples

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reboot

 

[riːˈbuːt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

computing

To restart a computer or device, or to start a process over again.

Synonyms

refresh, reinitialize, restart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
reboot

Commonly used in the context of computers or systems, when you need to restart the whole system to fix an issue or apply updates.

  • The computer started acting slow, so I had to reboot it.
  • After installing the software, make sure to reboot your machine.
restart

General term for stopping and starting something again, often used interchangeably with 'reboot' but applicable to both electronic devices and broader contexts.

  • Please save your work as we need to restart the server.
  • He had to restart his phone after the update installed.
refresh

Used when you want to update the current view or data without completely shutting down the system or application. Often used for web pages or user interfaces.

  • If the page doesn't load correctly, hit refresh.
  • I need to refresh the dashboard to see the latest data.
reinitialize

Technical term used mainly in programming or specialized contexts when you need to reset certain parts of a system or software to their initial states.

  • The program crashed, but a reinitialize of the module should fix it.
  • You need to reinitialize the variables before running the test again.

Examples of usage

  • After installing the updates, you need to reboot your computer.
  • If the system crashes, you may have to reboot to fix the issue.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term originated from the computer industry in the 1970s, combining 're-' meaning 'again' and 'boot' from 'bootstrapping', a process of starting a computer.
  • Initially, 'booting' referred to the method of starting a computer, likened to pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps.

Technology

  • Rebooting a device clears temporary memory, often solving issues without requiring complicated fixes.
  • In network technology, a reboot might involve restarting routers or servers to reestablish connections.
  • Regular reboots can improve the performance of gadgets like smartphones, often addressing lag or crashes.

Psychology

  • In a metaphorical sense, people often refer to 'rebooting' as a mental reset to relieve stress, focusing on self-care.
  • Therapists may encourage clients to imagine 'rebooting' their thoughts during tough times to foster a healthier mindset.

Pop Culture

  • The film industry frequently uses the term 'reboot' to describe a fresh take on a franchise, revamping stories for new audiences.
  • Video games often receive 'reboots' bringing classic titles back to modern platforms with updated graphics and gameplay.

Science

  • In cybersecurity, a reboot is crucial after installing updates to ensure new protections are running properly.
  • Some science experiments involve rebooting setups to clear previous data, allowing researchers to start fresh for accuracy.

Translations

Translations of the word "reboot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reiniciar

🇮🇳 पुनरारंभ

🇩🇪 Neustart

🇮🇩 reboot

🇺🇦 перезавантаження

🇵🇱 restart

🇯🇵 再起動 (さいきどう)

🇫🇷 redémarrer

🇪🇸 reiniciar

🇹🇷 yeniden başlatma

🇰🇷 재부팅

🇸🇦 إعادة التشغيل

🇨🇿 restart

🇸🇰 reštart

🇨🇳 重启 (chóngqǐ)

🇸🇮 ponovni zagon

🇮🇸 endurræsa

🇰🇿 қайта жүктеу

🇬🇪 გადატვირთვა

🇦🇿 yenidən yükləmə

🇲🇽 reiniciar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,296 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.