Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

enlistment

American  
[en-list-muhnt] / ɛnˈlɪst mənt /

noun

  1. the period of time for which one is committed to military service.

  2. an act of enlisting.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of enlistment

First recorded in 1740–50; enlist + -ment

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.

See Examples For:

Risks notwithstanding, its enlistment in broader cyber operations should expand the government’s arsenal in a dramatic way.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 13, 2026

Otherwise it contravened section 68 of Kenya's penal code and attracted up to 10 years in jail unless a court was satisfied the enlistment was not voluntary.

From BBC Mar. 22, 2026

Among the American troops, there were mutinies and desertions and soldiers simply going home when their enlistment was up.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 14, 2025

Nevertheless, it was given credit for a modest enlistment bump that year.

From Salon Oct. 10, 2025

Brinker for example had begun a long, decisive sequence of withdrawals from school activity ever since the morning I deserted his enlistment plan.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training