reservist

American

[ri-zur-vist] / rɪˈzɜr vɪst /

noun

a person who belongs to a reserve military force of a country.

reservist British

/ rɪˈzɜːvɪst /

noun

one who serves in the reserve formations of a nation's armed forces

"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

Etymology

Origin of reservist

First recorded in 1875–80; reserve + -ist

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.

Drawing on his service as a Naval reservist, Campa-Najjar takes a cautious approach to military engagement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

In February, two Israelis were charged with placing bets on Polymarket on future military operations based on classified information that one of the individuals, a military reservist, had access to.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

"We are used to having Russia just across the border," said Lopponen, who like almost every man and some women, is a military reservist until the age of 65.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

They are a reservist force that can be activated to serve as military troops, but have limited power as they cannot enforce the law or make arrests.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

"Has Granny——" "B-b-Burke!" sobbed Mitty, "'E-e's a reservist."

From In Orchard Glen by MacGregor, Mary Esther Miller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023