enlist

verb

en·​list in-ˈlist 

en-

enlisted; enlisting; enlists

transitive verb

1

a

: to secure the support and aid of : employ in advancing an interest

enlist all the available resources

enlisted our help

b

: to win over : attract

trying to enlist my sympathies

2

: to engage (a person) for duty in the armed forces

intransitive verb

1

: to enroll oneself in the armed forces

will enlist for three years

2

: to participate heartily (as in a cause, drive, or crusade)

enlistee

in-ˌli-ˈstē 

en-, 

-ˈli-stē

noun

enlistment

in-ˈlis(t)-mənt 

en-

noun

Synonyms of enlist

• join
• enroll (in)
• enter
• rejoin
• sign up (for)

Examples of enlist in a Sentence

They're enlisting volunteers for an experiment.

We enlisted all available resources.

I enlisted the help of our neighbors.

We enlisted the services of a professional.

They enlisted several new recruits.

After graduating, I enlisted in the navy.

He enlisted in the cause of world peace.

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s spent the last week whipping senators to support it and even enlisted former Alabama football coach Nick Saban to dial up undecided lawmakers, according to people familiar with the matter. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The helmer enlisted London school kids with cameras to document the recording of War Child Records’ benefit album HELP(2) at Abbey Road. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

In 2014, Sony had a new Spider-Man movie coming out and enlisted another artist to help add Queens’s most famous superhero to the image, along with a misplaced Statue of Liberty. — Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

The alerts are sent through cell phones, television, radio, highway message signs and other public channels to quickly enlist the public's help. — Ahmed Jawadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing enlist

• re-enlist

Rhymes for enlist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• consist
• desist
• dismissed
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

enlist

verb

en·​list in-ˈlist 

1

a

: to enroll for military or naval service

especially : to join one of the armed services voluntarily

b

: to participate heartily (as in a cause or drive)

2

: to obtain the help or support of

enlisted their friends in the campaign

enlistment

-ˈlis(t)-mənt 

noun