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Glite Dictionary
to boot a computer

to boot a computer

3.3
Start a computer by loading the program that runs it
  • phrasal verb
  • /buːt ə kəmˈpjuːtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : iniciar un ordenador
  • He waited for a few moments while the system began to boot a computer from the USB drive.

Examples

  • In a nutshell, Secure Boot requires a digital key to boot a computer in order to reduce the possibility of an attack in which malware tries to control the boot process of your computer.

    Blog text (16)

  • To start using the software, you need to boot a computer with the latest operating system installed.

  • After turning off the device, she pressed the power button to boot a computer and access her files.

Synonyms

to start up
vsto boot a computer
38 3.0

To make a machine or system begin to work

is narrower, referring specifically to starting by loading an operating system
to boot
vsto boot a computer
  • Specialized
28 4.5

To start a computer and load its operating system

describes causing a device to begin by loading its operating system
to bring up
vsto boot a computer
  • Specialized
14 5.5

Start a computer's operating system so it can run

focuses on starting the device itself rather than the internal loading action
to spin up
vsto boot a computer
  • Specialized
3 5.2

Start a computer system or service so it is ready to use

is specific to starting a device by loading its operating system

Antonyms

shutdown
136 4.1

A time when a business, system, or service stops working

How Ready

to boot a computer
  • Specialized
3.3
to turn on
550 1.0

Surface Forms

boot a computer infinitive
booted a computer past
booted a computer past participle
booting a computer present participle
boots a computer third person singular

Morphology

boot + a + computer

The meaning 'to start up a computer' is directly and compositionally derived from 'boot' (to start a machine/process) plus 'computer' (an electronic device). This verb + object pattern follows regular English composition and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent senses.

Etymology

The verb boot a computer comes from the idea of a 'bootstrap', a tiny start program that helps the machine pull itself up and load its main software. So to boot a computer means 'to start up' by loading the system.