reservist

American  

[ri-zur-vist] / rɪˈzɜr vɪst /

noun

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

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reservist British  

/ rɪˈzɜːvɪst /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of reservist

First recorded in 1875–80; reserve + -ist

Example Sentences

He teaches philosophy at Aalto University in Helsinki, but is a navy reservist who can be called upon in the event of a national emergency.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 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

The aid and supplies included food, water, cigarettes and closed boxes with unknown contents that were placed in the vehicles by the Shin Bet security service, the reservist said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

An Israeli citizen, he was called up as a reservist for a tour of duty with the Israel Defence Forces.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

He was a reservist, who, after leaving the Army, had taken to gardening, and who had been called up at the beginning of the war.

From Leaves in the Wind by Gardiner, A. G. (Alfred George)