definitions

enlist

[ en-list ]
/ ɛnˈlɪst /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR enlist ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to enroll, usually voluntarily, for military service: He decided to enlist in the Marines.
to enter into some cause, enterprise, etc.

verb (used with object)

to engage for military service: to enlist men for the army.
to secure (a person, services, etc.) for some cause, enterprise, etc.: They enlisted us to serve as ushers at the meeting.

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RELATED WORDS

appoint, hire, engage, join, enroll, gather, serve, recruit, employ, admit, enter, mobilize, attract, assign, volunteer, conscript, incorporate, levy, induct, secure

Nearby words

enlarger, enlighten, enlightened, enlightenment, enlil, enlist, enlisted man, enlisted woman, enlistee, enlistment, enliven

Origin of enlist

First recorded in 1690–1700; en-1 + list1

Related forms

en·list·er, nounpre·en·list, verbun·en·list·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for enlist

British Dictionary definitions for enlist

enlist

/ (ɪnˈlɪst) /

verb

to enter or persuade to enter into an engagement to serve in the armed forces
(tr) to engage or secure (a person, his services, or his support) for a venture, cause, etc
(intr foll by in) to enter into or join an enterprise, cause, etc

Derived Forms

enlister, nounenlistment, noun
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