What does reenlist mean?
Reenlist means to enlist again, most commonly to return to military service after a period away or after being discharged. The word can also describe joining an organization, campaign, or volunteer group a second time. In everyday use, it suggests renewed commitment rather than a completely new beginning: the person has already participated and is now choosing to continue. Military contexts provide the standard associations, including reenlisting for another term, reenlisting after discharge, and reenlisting in a particular branch of service. Outside the military, the term is less frequent but remains clear when a recurring or continuing commitment is meant. It is related to enlist, with the prefix re- indicating repetition, and is often written with a hyphen as re-enlist.
verbTo enlist again, especially to return to military service or to join an organization, group, or cause a second time.
- To enlist again, especially to return to military service.
"After several years away, she decided to reenlist in the navy."
"The soldiers reenlisted for another year of service."
"She reenlisted in the volunteer group after completing her first assignment."
Reenlisting turns a single act of commitment into a repeated choice—and, in military life, it can mean returning to duty after discharge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reenlist come from?
Reenlist was formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning again, with enlist. Its military sense reflects the older meaning of enlist: to enroll or bind someone to a service, especially military service. The related noun enlistment shares the same verbal root, while re-enlistment refers specifically to enlisting again.
Related word forms
How reenlist is actually used
The word is especially common in military contexts but can be used more broadly for joining a group or undertaking a role again. It is also written re-enlist; re-enlistment is the corresponding noun.
Easily confused with reenlist
Enlist means to join an organization or service for the first time, whereas reenlist means to do so again or return after a previous period of service.