enlist

[ en-list ]
See synonyms for enlist on Thesaurus.com
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.

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.

Origin of enlist

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

Other words for enlist

Other words from enlist

  • en·list·er, noun
  • pre·en·list, verb
  • un·en·list·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use enlist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for enlist

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

  1. (intr foll by in) to enter into or join an enterprise, cause, etc

Derived forms of enlist

  • enlister, noun
  • enlistment, 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