Definition[]
Boot "represents the automatic start-up process when the computer is turned on. A computer usually boots from its hard drive."[1]
To boot is "[t]o initialize a computer system by clearing memory and reloading the operating system."[2]
To boot is "[t]o cause a computer system to reach a known beginning state."[3]
Overview[]
"A boot program, in firmware, typically performs this function which includes loading basic instructions which tell the computer how to load programs into memory and how to begin executing those programs."[4]