enrollment

American  

[en-rohl-muhnt] / ɛnˈroʊl mənt /

especially British, enrolment

noun

1. the act or process of enrolling.

2. the state of being enrolled.

3. the number of persons enrolled, as for a course or in a school.

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Other Word Forms

• preenrollment noun
• reenrollment noun
• superenrollment noun

Etymology

Origin of enrollment

First recorded in 1525–35; enroll + -ment

Explanation

When you sign up for something, like a new school, a medical trial, or a club, that's enrollment. Your enrollment in that art class is dependent on paying your tuition bill first! In voting, enrollment means adding someone's name to the electoral roll after they've registered to vote. And in college, enrollment means the process of matriculating, or formally becoming a student at a university. You can also use this word for the total number of students at a school: "The preschool's enrollment is down this year." Enrollment is from the verb enroll and its Old French source, enroller which means "write in a register."

Example Sentences

Besides providing relief for families, the move could also help stem enrollment declines.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

County accounts for 44% of the state’s enrollment decline, with about half from L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

“Declining school enrollment in California reflects the national trend,” said Elizabeth Sanders, a spokesperson for the state Department of Education.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The global higher education analysis firm Quacquarelli Symonds External link forecasts that international enrollment in European universities will grow by about 5% a year to 2030.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

From there, the family had arranged to visit Williams College in Massachusetts for Garfield's class reunion and to initiate the enrollment of Hal and Jim in fall classes.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• admission
• enlistment
• recruitment