national service

Học thuật
Thân thiện
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