enlist

American  

[en-list] / ɛnˈlɪst /

verb (used without object)

1. to enroll, usually voluntarily, for military service.

   He decided to enlist in the Marines.

2. to enter into some cause, enterprise, etc.

   Synonyms:

   join, volunteer

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verb (used with object)

1. to engage for military service.

   to enlist men for the army.

2. to secure (a person, services, etc.) for some cause, enterprise, etc..

   They enlisted us to serve as ushers at the meeting.

enlist British  

/ ɪnˈlɪst /

verb

1. to enter or persuade to enter into an engagement to serve in the armed forces

2. (tr) to engage or secure (a person, his services, or his support) for a venture, cause, etc

3. to enter into or join an enterprise, cause, etc

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Other Word Forms

• enlister noun
• enlistment noun
• preenlist verb
• unenlisted adjective

Etymology

Origin of enlist

First recorded in 1690–1700; en- ¹ + list ¹

Example Sentences

Tolkan landed a scholarship to the college, but his academic career was short-lived, and he left to enlist in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

We actually found a social insight on TikTok, with people commenting that we need to enlist our boyfriends in boot camp, they’re bad gift givers, so on and so forth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

However, it said that Russian law allowed foreign nationals who are legally in the country to voluntarily enlist in the armed forces.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

Countless propaganda posters call for people to enlist with the army, crowding out adverts for a production of "Swan Lake" at the local theatre.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Unless she could enlist her small friend, Matt, and some of his mates, she would have to do all of her work — rebuilding, gardening — herself, assuming she was allowed to stay.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry

Related Words

• admit
• appoint
• assign
• attract
• call up
• conscript
• employ
• engage
• enroll
• enter
• gather
• hire
• join
• mobilize
• recruit
• serve
• volunteer