conscription

[ kuhn-skrip-shuhn ]

noun

1. compulsory enrollment of persons for military or naval service; draft.
2. a compulsory contribution of money to a government during a time of war.

conscription

/ kənˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. compulsory military service

Other Words From

• con·scription·al adjective
• anti·con·scription noun
• noncon·scription noun
• procon·scription adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscription¹

First recorded in 1350–1400 for earlier sense “piece of writing”; 1795–1805 for current senses; Middle English conscripcioun, from Latin conscrīptiōn-, stem of conscrīptiō “composition, written record, levy of troops,” equivalent to conscript + -ion

Example Sentences

He cannot be subjected to conscription, or forced military service, save by the written orders of the highest military authority of the department, under such regulations as the President or Congress may prescribe.

From Washington Post

Excluding women from conscription also perpetuated the “myth that all men are more competent than all women,” Smeal said.

From Washington Post

Worryingly, even Syrians who’ve managed to obtain citizenship in another country aren’t exempt from the conscription tax.

From Ozy

He was jailed for three months for refusing conscription into the Ustaša army.

From Washington Post

Gomaa worked with Al-Jazeera, including contributing to a documentary about conscription in Egypt.

From Fortune

There was a provision in the Union Conscription Act of 1863 that allowed wealthy men to pay $300 to buy their way out of service.

From The Daily Beast

While forced conscription of Americans is rare, the practice of volunteering has a storied history.

From The Daily Beast

When I reported for my conscription in 2010 I thought I would do my two years of service without anything happening.

From The Daily Beast

Many national-religious Jews, including their political leadership, support universal conscription.

From The Daily Beast

Charismatic and pragmatic Wilkie actively endorsed conscription and support for Great Britain early on.

From The Daily Beast

The jailer, a loyalist, retained his position as a civil detail, thus protecting himself and sons from conscription.

From Project Gutenberg

A new conscription secured the forty thousand men for Bayonne, and General Clarke was ordered to fortify the frontier.

From Project Gutenberg

No one remonstrated when once more recourse was had to the fatal policy of anticipating the annual conscription.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, with conscription and compulsory jury service, this pitiless dilemma arises before every one.

From Project Gutenberg

The issue of conscription brought to an end the political truce which had been declared in August, 1914.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• enrollment
• induction