# enlistment

/ɛnˈɫɪstmənt/ (US) · /ɛnlˈɪstmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/enlistment
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the act of joining the military or a group to serve for a specific period of time. It can also mean the process of getting someone to help you with a task.

For teachers: the act of joining a military force or a group for a fixed period of service. In a broader sense, it refers to the recruitment or mobilisation of resources for a specific purpose.

## Examples

- He completed his military enlistment last summer.
- The government is seeking to increase the number of volunteers for the national emergency response through a new enlistment campaign.
- The rapid enlistment of local volunteers allowed the community to rebuild the flood-damaged infrastructure within months, demonstrating the power of collective action during a crisis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.