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general::
the army
the part of a country's military force that is trained to fight on land:
• Her son joined the army in 2002. • an army commander
the armed forces
( also the military especially American English , the services British English , the service American English ) the army, navy, and air force:
• He served in the armed forces for many years. • Riley joined the military after graduating from high school.
people in an army
soldier
someone who is in the army, especially someone who is not an officer:
• Three soldiers were killed in an hour-long gun battle.
troops
soldiers, especially those who are taking part in a military attack:
• The government sent more troops to Iraq.
serviceman/servicewoman
a man or woman who is in the army, air force, or navy:
• The hospital treats injured servicemen and women.
officer
a high-ranking member of the army, air force, or navy who is in charge of a group of soldiers, sailors etc:
• an army officer
join the army
join up /enlist
British English , enlist American English to join the army:
• He joined up when he was 18.
be called up/be drafted
British English , be drafted American English to be ordered to serve in the army by the government:
• He was drafted into the US army in 1943. • Reserve soldiers were being called up.
conscription/the draft
( also the draft American English ) a government policy of ordering people to serve in the army:
• Conscription was introduced in 1916. • He had left the country to avoid the draft.
Longman-Thesaurus