reservist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to Neutral; more common in military, governmental, and news contexts.
Quick answer
What does “reservist” mean?
A member of a military reserve force who can be called to active duty when needed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a military reserve force who can be called to active duty when needed.
Any person who is not currently in a principal role but is kept available for service if required; may be used metaphorically in organizational contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and institutional names differ (e.g., UK: Army Reserve; US: Army Reserve, National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve). The concept is equally fundamental in both military traditions.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of patriotism, dual civilian-military life, and readiness. In the US, the National Guard has additional connotations of state-level service and disaster response.
Frequency
Frequency is similar, tied to news cycles about military deployments and national policy.
Grammar
How to Use “reservist” in a Sentence
NN (noun + reservist: army reservist)V + N (verb + reservist: mobilise reservists)ADJ + N (adjective + reservist: trained reservist)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reservist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government will call upon the volunteers to reservist themselves in the new defence scheme. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The act does not allow the service to reservist civilians involuntarily. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He attends his reservist training one weekend a month. (noun used attributively)
American English
- She is in a reservist status while finishing her degree. (noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used literally; metaphorically for employees on retainer or on-call contractors.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and military studies discussing defence policy and civil-military relations.
Everyday
Used in news reports about military deployments and in conversations involving someone who serves in the reserves.
Technical
Specific military and legal term defining a person's status under defence acts and regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reservist”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reservist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reservist”
- Using 'reservationist' (which refers to someone who makes reservations).
- Pronouncing it as /ˈrezərvɪst/ (stress on first syllable is incorrect).
- Confusing it with a 'veteran' (former full-time soldier).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A regular soldier serves full-time as their primary career. A reservist is primarily a civilian who trains part-time and can be called to full-time active duty when needed.
Yes, depending on national laws. When mobilised or called to active duty, reservists typically have the same obligations and can be deployed overseas just like regular soldiers.
Yes, it is the standard formal term. Informal or sometimes slightly derogatory terms include 'weekend warrior' (US).
Its core meaning is military. It can be used metaphorically in business or sports (e.g., 'a reservist player on the bench'), but this is an extension of the original concept.
A member of a military reserve force who can be called to active duty when needed.
Reservist: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɜːvɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɜːrvɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Called to the colours (UK, historical)”
- “Weekend warrior (US, informal, sometimes slightly derogatory)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A reservist is kept in RESERVE, like a spare tyre or an emergency fund – not used daily, but vital when needed.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MILITARY IS A RESOURCE POOL (from which active-duty soldiers are drawn, with reservists held in reserve).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary role of a reservist?