Definition

Noun: - Compulsory service in the military during peacetime: A system where a country's government legally requires its citizens, typically of a certain age and fitness, to serve in the armed forces for a fixed period, even when the nation is not at war.

Usage

• National service is typically discussed in the context of government policy, citizenship duties, and national defense.
• It is often contrasted with voluntary, professional military service.
• The term can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to mandatory civilian service programs for public benefit, though its primary meaning is military.

Examples

• The country reinstated national service to bolster its armed forces reserves.
• He completed his national service before starting university.
• Debates about the fairness of national service are common in many societies.
• Some nations have replaced military national service with programs focused on community development.

Advanced Usage

• "to be called up for national service": to be formally summoned or drafted to begin one's period of compulsory service.
  • His grandfather was called up for national service in the 1950s.
• The concept can be part of discussions on "civic duty" and "national identity."

Variants and Related Words

• Conscription (n): The compulsory enlistment of people in a national service, especially in the armed forces. This is a close synonym.
• Draft (n, chiefly US): The system of selecting individuals for compulsory military service.
• Serve (v): To perform a duty or a period of service. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Compulsory military service
• Conscription
• The draft (US English)

Related Phrases

• Civilian service: A form of national service where individuals work in non-military areas such as healthcare, education, or environmental conservation, often as an alternative to military duty.
• Alternative service: Service performed instead of military conscription, often for conscientious objectors.

Noun

1. compulsory service in the military during peacetime