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 Word Forms

• conscriptional adjective
• anticonscription noun
• nonconscription noun
• proconscription 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

Monday's candlelight vigil had been organised as a peaceful protest against the junta's military conscription and the upcoming national election.

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“It is time to end this unprecedented experiment in militarized law enforcement and conscription of state National Guard troops outside the narrow conditions allowed by Congress.”

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The Eritrean man said he fled his home country in 2019 because of forced conscription - and he spent time in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Libya before coming to Europe.

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In April last year, Ukraine lowered the conscription age from 27 to 25.

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The bill could also lead to conscription if more troops are needed.

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Related Words

• enrollment 
• induction