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Showing results for selective service. Search instead for Selective+Service.
Synonyms

selective service

American  

noun

  1. compulsory military service.


selective service British  

noun

  1. (formerly) compulsory military service under which men were conscripted selectively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of selective service

First recorded in 1919

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A vast majority of US states and territories also automatically register men for selective service when driver's licenses are issued.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

That same year, then-President Ronald Reagan, who had initially campaigned against the reinstated selective service, decided he would keep it.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

I was sent to wait out the remainder of the day before being taken back to my local selective service board and returning home to Southern Maryland.

From Washington Post • Mar. 5, 2022

He said Den Hollander had been furious that he had not been involved in a federal selective service case that he filed with Angelucci.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2020

I have described above the process of the execution of the selective service law.

From World's War Events, Vol. II by Reynolds, Francis J. (Francis Joseph)

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