What does reenlisting mean?
Reenlisting means enlisting again, most often by entering the armed forces for another period of service after completing a previous term or being discharged. The word also has a broader, sometimes humorous use for returning to a former employer, organization, club, or activity. In the military sense, reenlisting may involve an agreement between a service member and the relevant service branch and can carry the implications of commitment, experience, and continued obligation. Outside military contexts, the verb can suggest that someone has renewed an earlier decision to participate. It is the present participle of reenlist and corresponds to the past tense reenlisted and the noun reenlistment.
verbTo enlist again, especially to serve another term in the armed forces or to join an organization once more.
- To enlist again in the armed forces.
- To join an organization, occupation, or activity again after a break.
"After completing his tour of duty, he decided to reenlist for another five years."
"The soldiers reenlisted at the end of the conflict."
"She left the company but reenlisted when it began recruiting again."
Reenlisting lets a service member begin another tour of duty, often after discharge or the expiry of a previous enlistment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reenlisting come from?
Reenlisting is formed by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with enlist. The older word enlist entered English in the early 17th century from French enlister, in which the verb was originally associated with enrolling people for military service. The prefixed form reenlist developed in the 19th century and is now used both in its original military sense and more broadly for joining or participating again.
Related word forms
How reenlisting is actually used
The term is especially common in military contexts. In general usage, it can humorously describe returning to an organization or activity from which one has previously withdrawn.