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

After deciphering practically nothing, I sent a letter to our housekeeper, Viola, in Wales, and promptly enlisted the help of Colin and Marion.

From Literature

Eric only told his father he had enlisted after he had been captured by Ukraine -- in a phone call from prison.

From Barron's

It’s also had an unintended effect: Plenty of users, whether they realize it or not, are now channeling Michael Ovitz, the superagent who once enlisted a small army of assistants to filter calls.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brookfield spent $40 million over the past couple of years to overhaul the lobby of its 54-story office building downtown and enlisted art adviser Jacob King to find artwork that might attract attention.

From The Wall Street Journal

The industry has enlisted a legion of celebrities who don’t need the money to encourage fans to part with theirs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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