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

• enroll (in)
• enter
• join
• sign on (for)
• 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

As the government scrambles, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) enlists former President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) to lead a crisis response team dubbed the Zero Day Commission. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Ted enlists the help of his former partner, Kevin, and asks him to dig up any dirt the other side could use against Lester in court. —Ayan Artan, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025

Judges in four lawsuits initially blocked his order until the Supreme Court cleared the way for a revised policy in January 2019, which barred transgender people from enlisting, participating in Reserve Officers' Training Corps or attending military academies. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

In 1954, Wambaugh enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and then attended night school. —Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

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