enlist

[en-list]

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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• enlister noun
• preenlist verb
• unenlisted adjective
• enlistment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlist¹

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

Example Sentences

But among the enquiries about how to enlist are posts from families searching for missing sons.

Read more on Barron's

When I crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, some four hours after starting and four months after enlisting ChatGPT as my coach, I burst into tears.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To learn how to restore his instrument, Rinaudo enlisted the help of a mechanic friend who taught him how to fix all the valves, gears, pipes and bellows.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Laying the groundwork methodically — researching costs and benefits and enlisting experts to ease the transition — works better for those sure they have found the right spot to retire.

Read more on MarketWatch

When she learned one of her high-school students couldn’t read, she enlisted several classmates in a successful effort to tutor him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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