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Synonyms

recruitment

American  
[ri-kroot-muhnt] / rɪˈkrut mənt /

noun

  1. the act or process of recruiting.

  2. Physiology. an increase in the response to a stimulus owing to the activation of additional receptors, resulting from the continuous application of the stimulus with the same intensity.


Etymology

Origin of recruitment

First recorded in 1815–25; recruit + -ment

Explanation

Recruitment is the act of getting people to sign up for something, especially the military. If you've ever been recruited for something, then someone convinced you to do or join something. The person who convinced you was in the business of recruitment. Recruitment refers to everything people do to get others to join things, like the military. Colleges, sports teams, and businesses are all involved in recruitment when they are trying to attract new students, athletes, and employees. When recruitment is successful, people sign up and join.

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Vocabulary lists containing recruitment

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.

She has seen online recruitment postings for scam jobs and says some workers are themselves trapped in exploitative conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Looking to avert those cuts, the council slowed police hiring just as recruitment was picking up steam.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Head of recruitment Martin Hodge was appointed weeks later and admitted that watching on from the stands that day at Fratton Park he had questioned whether the role was right for him.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

The Red Arrows are used to display the force's military capabilities and help with recruitment.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

And all over the country, teens and young adults who had grown up believing they would come of age in wartime rushed to military posts and recruitment offices to volunteer to defend their Motherland.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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