enlist

1 of 2

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

enlistment

2 of 2

noun

en·​list·​ment ə̇nˈlis(t)mənt 

en-

plural -s

1

: the act of enlisting or state of being enlisted

2

: a period of service in a military or naval force for which an individual can volunteer

the 2-year enlistment was discontinued

Synonyms of enlist

Verb

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

Examples of enlist in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

In the meantime, the 29 plaintiffs – who are active-duty, reservists, National Guard members and a person seeking to enlist – will remain in the force. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Newlyweds In a meta twist, NBC has enlisted two actual newlyweds — Tea Leoni and Tim Daly — to star as an odd couple in the upcoming sitcom Newlyweds. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

But the Chicago Sky is taking its protective measures a step further — by enlisting help from national security experts. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Unfortunately, Hazrat’s achievement is undercut by her determination to enlist punctuation’s history in scoring political points. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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