enlist

[ en-list ]

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

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

/ 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. intrfoll byin to enter into or join an enterprise, cause, etc

Derived Forms

• enˈlister, noun
• enˈlistment, noun

Other Words From

• en·lister noun
• preen·list verb
• unen·listed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlist¹

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

Example Sentences

During the course of the study, the research team enlisted “several hundred health care workers” to participate, and collected data over several months, between April and September.

From TechCrunch

Breaking was far from the organization’s core when WDSF enlisted the help of Jean-Laurent Bourquin, an IOC veteran, in 2015, asking him for his help in wooing Olympic officials.

From Washington Post

Contrary to what some may believe, it is a serious challenge to enlist.

From Time

Pointing to the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh, who enlisted in the Army and served in the first Gulf War, Corn said it’s no secret that the military has been a “breeding ground” for extremism to some extent for decades.

From ProPublica

In 1963, that brought him to the attention of Burdon, Price and bass guitar player Chas Chandler, who enlisted him, along with Steel, into what was then the Alan Price Combo.

From Washington Post

She claims the FBI tried to enlist her as a cooperating source in their investigation.

From The Daily Beast

Now, of course, we have no choice but enlist anyone we can in the fight against ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

But with America in the midst of another battle abroad, the president seems anxious to enlist the help of other countries.

From The Daily Beast

Another tip is to outsource willpower: Enlist family and friends to join you in your goal to give up smoking or get fit.

From The Daily Beast

When it was his turn to speak, Ostronic warned that Kimberlin was trying to “enlist” the jury in a silencing of free speech.

From The Daily Beast

Theophilus had known that I was going to enlist long before I had made up my own mind.

From Project Gutenberg

One of these persons tried to enlist Prior in Portland's faction, but with very little success.

From Project Gutenberg

He made an attempt to enlist Hardwicke and Newcastle, but they would not take office without their party.

From Project Gutenberg

They would neither enlist in sufficient numbers to keep up a regular army nor provide for such troops as they had.

From Project Gutenberg

But the force which was to enlist parliament on the national side was outside its walls.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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