call

1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl

called; calling; calls

intransitive verb

: to speak in a loud distinct voice so as to be heard at a distance : shout

call for help

: to make a request or demand

call for an investigation

of an animal : to utter a characteristic note or cry

: to speak to or attempt to reach someone by means of a call (see call entry 2 sense 8)

just called to say hello

I call once a week to talk to my parents.

Several weeks later our son's family called to FaceTime with us.

Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana)

—often used with up

She called up and asked if we wanted to come over for dinner.

: to make a demand in card games (as for a particular card or for a show of hands)

: to give the calls for a square dance

: to make a brief visit

called to pay his respects

called on a friend

transitive verb

a(1)

: to utter in a loud distinct voice

—often used with out

call out a number

(2)

: to announce or read loudly or authoritatively

call the roll

call off a row of figures

(3)

: to announce the play-by-play of (a sports event, such as a football game)

b(1)

: to command or request to come or be present

was called to testify

(2)

: to cause to come : bring

calls to mind an old saying

: to summon to a particular activity, employment, or office

was called to active duty

was called to the bar of justice

: to invite or command to meet : convoke

call a meeting

: to rouse from sleep or summon to get up

f(1)

: to give the order for : bring into action

call a strike against the company

call a pitchout

(2)

: to manage by giving the signals or orders

that catcher calls a good game

g(1)

: to make a demand in bridge for (a card or suit)

(2)

: to require (a player) to show the hand in poker by making an equal bet

(3)

: to challenge to make good on a statement

(4)

: to charge with or censure for an offense

deserves to be called on that

: to attract (game) by imitating the characteristic cry

: to halt (something, such as a baseball game) because of unsuitable conditions

: to rule on the status of (a pitched ball, a player's action, etc.)

call balls and strikes

call a base runner safe

: to give the calls for (a square dance)

—often used with off

l(1)

: to demand payment of especially by formal notice

call a loan

(2)

: to demand presentation of (something, such as a bond or option) for redemption

The bonds could be called 10 years after issue.

m(1)

: to speak to or attempt to reach (someone) by means of a call (see call entry 2 sense 8)

call the doctor to make an appointment

I try to call my parents at least once a week.

He arranged for his wife, Stacey, to call him via Skype online from Kylee's fourth-grade classroom on Monday morning—a complete surprise to his daughter.

Elaine Allenemrich

—often used with up

Call me up when you get back from your vacation.

(2)

: to generate signals for (a telephone number) in order to reach the party to whom the number is assigned

call 911

(3)

: to make a signal to in order to transmit a message

call the flagship

: to speak of or address by a specified name : give a name to

call her Kitty

b(1)

: to regard or characterize as of a certain kind : consider

can hardly be called generous

(2)

: to estimate or consider for purposes of an estimate or for convenience

call it an even dollar

c(1)

: to describe correctly in advance of or without knowledge of the event : predict

He called the upward trend of the stock market in February.

(2)

: to name or specify in advance

call the toss of a coin

: to temporarily transfer control of computer processing to (something, such as a subroutine or procedure)

call

2 of 2

noun

plural calls

: an act of calling with the voice : shout

a call for help

: an imitation of the cry of a bird or other animal made to attract it

: an instrument used for calling

a duck call

: the cry of an animal (such as a bird)

: a request or command to come or assemble

: a summons or signal on a drum, bugle, or pipe

: admission to the bar as a barrister

: an invitation to become the minister of a church or to accept a professional appointment

: a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action

: a summoning of actors to rehearsal

the call is for 11 o'clock

: the attraction or appeal of a particular activity, condition, or place

the call of the wild

: an order specifying the number of men to be inducted into the armed services during a specified period

: the selection of a play in football

the quarterback's call in the huddle

: demand, claim

The aircraft industry continues to have first call on aluminum production.

Americana Annual

: need, justification

there's no call for such behavior

: a demand for payment of money

: an option to buy a specified amount of a security (such as stock) or commodity (such as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time compare put sense 2

: an instance of asking for something : request

many calls for Christmas stories

: roll call

: a short usually formal visit

pay a call on a neighbor

: the name or thing called

the call was heads

: the act of calling in a card game

: the act of speaking to or attempting to reach someone by telephone or by a similar online communication service

a telephone call

a video call

made a call to the mayor

In a time before keeping in touch was an internet call away, I'd have to say goodbye forever to bedrooms, to classrooms, to friends.

Soniah Kamal

Soon after news of Bazemore's return broke, Curry shared a screenshot on Instagram of the two friends on a FaceTime call. Both were smiling, no longer thinking of what-ifs.

Wes Goldberg

: a direction or a succession of directions for a square dance rhythmically called to the dancers

: a decision or ruling made by an official of a sports contest

also : decision sense 1

a tough call to make

: a temporary transfer of control of computer processing to a particular set of instructions (such as a subroutine or procedure)

Phrases

call a spade a spade

: to call a thing by its right name however coarse

: to speak frankly

Why don't you just call a spade a spade and say that he is a liar?

call for

: to call (as at one's house) to get

I'll call for you after dinner

: to require as necessary or appropriate

the job calls for typing skills

the design calls for three windows

call forth

: elicit, evoke

these events call forth great emotions

call in question or call into question

: to cast doubt upon

a report calling into question the drug's effectiveness

call it a day

: to stop for the remainder of the day or for the present whatever one has been doing

worked another couple of hours and then called it a day

call it quits

: to call it a day : quit

call names

: to address or speak of a person or thing contemptuously or offensively

call on

: to call upon

Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?

: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)

the teacher called on her first

US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)

… offering ample ammunition to anyone wanting to call her on her fascination with all things violent and degrading.

Michael Upchurch

call one's bluff

: to challenge in order to expose an empty pretense or threat

I called his bluff just to see if he really meant what he said.

Brandy Rankins

call the shots

: to be in charge or control : determine the policy or procedure

The secretary called the shots all through the meeting.

call the tune

: to call the shots

call time

: to ask for or grant a time-out

call to account

: to hold responsible : reprimand

He was called to account by his boss for making the error.

call upon

: require, oblige

may be called upon to do several jobs

: to make a demand on : depend on

universities are called upon to produce trained professionals

at call or on call

: available for use : at the service of

thousands of men at his call

: ready to respond to a summons or command

a doctor on call

: subject to demand for payment or return without previous notice

money lent at call

within call

: within hearing or reach of a summons : subject to summons

Choose the Right Synonym for call

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of.

summon implies the exercise of authority.

was summoned to answer charges

call may be used less formally for summon.

called the legislature into special session

cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge.

cited for drunken driving

convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes.

convoked a Vatican council

convene is somewhat less formal than convoke.

convened the students

muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole.

mustered the troops

Example Sentences

Verb He called to passersby for help. She called up to her husband, who was at the top of the stairs. Her husband called back down to her. She saw her friends across the street and called over to them. He called her name in his sleep. The birds were calling as the sun rose. I call once a week to talk to my parents. Where are you calling from? May I say who's calling? I try to call my parents at least once a week. Noun A local call costs less than a long-distance or an international call. If there are any calls for me during the meeting, say that I'll call back later. I got a call from my brother last night. He gave a call to passersby for help. We heard a bird that had a very loud and unusual call. He's an expert at doing bird calls. He has a large collection of duck calls. the call of a trumpet The government has issued a call to its supporters to defend it and hopes they will answer its call. The campaigners renewed their calls for reform. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

It’s a pay-to-play world whether anyone wants to call it that or not, and Auburn has fist-fulls of sweaty cash ready for the poker table that is handing over thousands of dollars to teenage boys based on their athletic potential.

Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 28 Nov. 2022 Clades are known, in essence, by what scientists call them in scientific papers.

Helen Branswell, STAT, 28 Nov. 2022 Jedy Cordilia gently objected to the label, asking Engelstad to call them forwards.

Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Nov. 2022 So yeah, even if Die Hard’s (very) Christmas setting isn’t enough to call it a Christmas movie, its themes have Christmas written all over them like blood on a white shirt.

Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 28 Nov. 2022 Fuentes, who attended the bloody far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, is best known for running a white nationalist youth organization known as America First, whose adherents call themselves groypers or the Groyper Army.

Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Nov. 2022 By late afternoon, people started to call me after seeing my phone number on the fliers.

Kellie Cummings, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2022 Get a pre-trip inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the road, as AAA predicts over 400,000 travelers in the country will call them for roadside assistance.

The Arizona Republic, 23 Nov. 2022 Some viewers are starting to take notice of amnesia plots – and call them out.

Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 23 Nov. 2022

Noun

Once speech crosses the line, the department becomes alerted to it, senior officials on the call said.

Luke Barr, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2022 Consumers making more than $100,000 a year drove spending over the holiday weekend, Shay said on a call with reporters Tuesday.

Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 29 Nov. 2022 Montgomery police and fire medics responded to the 3900 block of Woodley Road around 11:30 p.m. Sunday on a call of a person shot, said Sgt.

Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 28 Nov. 2022 Cohen told analysts on an earnings call that suppliers and customers wanted a single point of contact.

Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Nov. 2022 Also on the call was Gilbert Higley coach Eddy Zubey, who has one of the top 2025 quarterback recruits in the nation in Jamar Malone II, who has carried the Knights to the 5A semifinal this week.

Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 28 Nov. 2022 On that call, Trudeau reportedly informed the president that his government had a plan to end the protests and blockades.

Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2022 Chapek’s performance on that call, and a follow-up memo to staff, is believed to have led to his eventual ouster by the Disney board.

Michael Schneider, Variety, 25 Nov. 2022 Under the terms of this interim agreement, for the 2022-23 snow and ice removal season – which runs from Dec. 3 through April 16 – bargaining unit employees assigned to mandatory snow and ice removal duties will receive $7 an hour for on-call pay.

Ed Wittenberg, cleveland, 23 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'call.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old Norse kalla; akin to Old English hildecalla battle herald, Old High German kallōn to talk loudly, Old Church Slavonic glasŭ voice

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of call was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing call

Cite this Entry

Style

“Call.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

call

1 of 2 verb

ˈkȯl

: to speak so as to be heard at a distance : shout

call for help

: to utter in a loud clear voice

call out a command

: to announce with authority : proclaim

call a halt

: to announce the action of (as a sports game)

: summon sense 1

call a meeting

: to bring into action or discussion

call up reserves

: to make a request or demand of or for

call for an end to war

: to give temporary control of a computer to a particular set of instructions

: to make a telephone call to

: to make a brief visit

no salesperson will call

: to give a name to

called the cat "Patches"

: to address by a name

what did you call me

: to regard as being of a certain kind

you can call them generous

: to estimate as being

call it an even dollar

: to utter a cry

crows calling

: to attract game by imitating its cry

: halt entry 4 sense 2, suspend

call a game on account of rain

call time

caller noun

call

2 of 2 noun

: a loud cry : shout

: a cry of an animal

: an imitation of an animal's cry or a device used to make such an imitation

: summons entry 1 sense 1, invitation

: attraction sense 1

the call of the wild

: demand entry 1 sense 1a, claim

: request entry 1 sense 1

: a brief visit

: the act of calling on the telephone

: a ruling made by an official of a sports contest

: a temporary transfer of control of computer processing to a particular set of instructions

Legal Definition

call

1 of 2 transitive verb

: to announce or recite loudly

called the civil trial list

: to admit (a person) as a barrister

was called to the bar

: to demand payment of especially by formal notice

call a loan

: to demand presentation of (as a bond or option) for redemption

Note: A security issuer may call a security only if calling it is previously provided for, as, for example, in the indenture for a bond or in the stock agreement for preferred stock. The issuer usually pays the holder a premium for a called security.

call

2 of 2 noun

: a demand for payment of money: as

: a notice by the U.S. Treasury to depositories to transfer part of its deposit balance to the Federal Reserve bank

: a notice to a stockholder or subscriber to pay an assessment or an installment of subscription to capital