What does "enlisted" mean?

1. (to join the military) to join the army, navy, or another part of the military. 2. (to get help) to ask for and get someone's help or support for a project. 3. (military rank) describing soldiers who are not officers. 4. (the group of soldiers) the group of people in the military who are not officers.

How do you use "enlisted"?

Often used with the preposition 'in'. Typically takes a direct object, often followed by 'the help of'.

enlisted

v. · adj. · n.

US //ˌɛnˈɫɪstɪd// UK //ɛnlˈɪstɪd// en·list·ed

1 to join the military (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to join the army, navy, or another part of the military.

to enrol voluntarily in the armed forces. Usually intransitive or followed by 'in'.

Example

He enlisted in the navy right after he finished high school.

Example

Thousands of young men enlisted in the infantry during the first month of the conflict, driven by a mixture of patriotism and economic necessity.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'in'.
- join up
- sign up
- recruit
- resign
- leave
2 to get help (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to ask for and get someone's help or support for a project.

to engage a person or their help in the service of a cause or a specific task.

Example

The teacher enlisted the help of several parents to organize the school trip.

Example

The charity enlisted several high-profile celebrities to promote their new environmental campaign across social media platforms.

Usage

Typically takes a direct object, often followed by 'the help of'.

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3 military rank (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

describing soldiers who are not officers.

relating to or being a member of the armed forces who does not hold a commission.

Example

The enlisted soldiers lived in a different building from the officers.

Example

The commander addressed the enlisted personnel, praising their discipline and technical proficiency during the recent field exercises.
- non commissioned
- commissioned
- officer
4 the group of soldiers (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical

the group of people in the military who are not officers.

the collective body of personnel in the armed forces who are not commissioned officers.

Example

There was a clear social gap between the enlisted and the officers.

Example

The reform aimed to improve the living conditions and educational opportunities for the enlisted across all branches of the service.
- ranks
- personnel
- officer corps