transitive verb

1. to raise or strengthen (an army, navy, etc.) by enlisting personnel
2. to enlist (personnel) into an army or navy
3. 1. to enlist (new members), as for a party or organization
   2. to hire or engage the services of
4. Rare
   1. to increase or maintain by supplying anew; replenish
   2. to revive or restore (health, strength, etc.)
5. to seek to enroll (students) in a college, university, etc., as for the purpose of playing a varsity sport

Etymology: Fr recruter < recrute, a recruit, lit., new growth < recrû, pp. of recroître, to grow again < L re-, again + crescere, to grow, increase: see crescent

intransitive verb

1. to enlist new personnel, esp. for a military force
2. Rare
   1. to get new supplies of something, as in replacement
   2. to regain health, strength, etc.
3. to seek to enroll students, as athletes to play a varsity sport, in college, university, etc.

noun

1. a newly enlisted or drafted soldier, sailor, etc.
2. a new member of any group, body, or organization