Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

conscription

American  
[kuhn-skrip-shuhn] / kənˈskrɪp ʃən /

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 British  
/ kənˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

  1. compulsory military service

"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

Other Word Forms

  • anticonscription noun
  • conscriptional adjective
  • nonconscription noun
  • proconscription adjective

Etymology

Origin of conscription

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

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

If they are eligible for conscription, and do not have an exemption from service, they can be driven off to the barracks on the spot.

From BBC

The Kenyan government, which previously estimated that about 200 of its nationals had been recruited to fight for Russia, wants Moscow to bar the conscription of Kenyan soldiers.

From BBC

Since the State of Israel was declared in 1948, students enrolled full-time at a religious school, or yeshiva, have been exempted from conscription.

From BBC

Mudavadi has told the BBC that Kenya's engagement with Russia will focus on curbing illegal recruitment practices, including discussions on visa policy and bilateral labour agreements excluding military conscription.

From BBC

The remaining option, she adds, are men under the conscription age of 25.

From BBC