ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈpren-təs 
often attributive
1
a
: one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade
b
: one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling
a carpenter's apprentice
compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c
2
: an inexperienced person : novice
an apprentice in cooking
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
especially
: to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
: to serve as an apprentice
Synonyms
Examples of apprentice in a Sentence
Noun
decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated
aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues
Verb
He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
The next night, those same ensigns ordered an apprentice to take the watchful pedometer and shake it while the night watchmen took their normal rest.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
Cotton apprenticed with McNamara, who put the small town of Nazare, Portugal, on the map by surfing what was estimated to be a 78-foot wave there in 2011, at the time a world record.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apprentice 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Most technicians hired at TSMC won't go through the apprentice program.
—Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
The next night, those same ensigns ordered an apprentice to take the watchful pedometer and shake it while the night watchmen took their normal rest.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Beyond that, much of the population would have learned a vocation, apprenticing to do what their father or mother did as a profession.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
Cotton apprenticed with McNamara, who put the small town of Nazare, Portugal, on the map by surfing what was estimated to be a 78-foot wave there in 2011, at the time a world record.
—Jim Clash, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apprentice
Dictionary Entries Near apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apprentice
1 of 2 noun
ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈprent-əs
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker
apprentice
2 of 2 verb
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share