call

1 of 2

verb

ˈkȯl 

called; calling; calls

intransitive verb

1

a

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

call for help

b

: to make a request or demand

call for an investigation

c

of an animal : to utter a characteristic note or cry

d

: 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.

e

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

f

: to give the calls for a square dance

2

: to make a brief visit

called to pay his respects

called on a friend

transitive verb

1

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

c

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

was called to active duty

was called to the bar of justice

d

: to invite or command to meet : convoke

call a meeting

e

: 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

h

: to attract (game) by imitating the characteristic cry

i

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

j

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

call balls and strikes

call a base runner safe

k

: 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

2

a

: 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

3

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

call

2 of 2

noun

plural calls

1

a

: an act of calling with the voice : shout

a call for help

b

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

c

: an instrument used for calling

a duck call

d

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

2

a

: a request or command to come or assemble

b

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

c

: admission to the bar as a barrister

d

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

e

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

f

: a summoning of actors to rehearsal

the call is for 11 o'clock

g

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

the call of the wild

h

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

i

: the selection of a play in football

the quarterback's call in the huddle

3

a

: demand, claim

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

—Americana Annual

b

: need, justification

there's no call for such behavior

c

: a demand for payment of money

d

: 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

e

: an instance of asking for something : request

many calls for Christmas stories

4

: roll call

5

: a short usually formal visit

pay a call on a neighbor

6

: the name or thing called

the call was heads

7

: the act of calling in a card game

8

: 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

9

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

10

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

also : decision sense 1

a tough call to make

11

: 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

1

: to call a thing by its right name however coarse

2

: to speak frankly

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

call for

1

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

I'll call for you after dinner

2

: 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

1

: to call upon

Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?

2

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

the teacher called on her first

3

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

1

: require, oblige

may be called upon to do several jobs

2

: to make a demand on : depend on

universities are called upon to produce trained professionals

at call or on call

1

a

: available for use : at the service of

thousands of men at his call

b

: ready to respond to a summons or command

a doctor on call

2

: 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

Synonyms

Verb

• shout
• yell
• cry

Noun

• cry
• calling
• bark
• roar
• howl

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

Examples of call in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The report calls on leaders to focus on green solutions that can also improve health outcomes, and warns that political backsliding on climate commitments will only cause more harm. —Simmone Shah, Time, 29 Oct. 2025

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Noun

Now a mommy influencer on Instagram, Abby and her husband call upon Noah to oversee a baby naming ceremony, which a vengeful Joanne also attends. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

The call is also available by phone at [phone] and conference ID number 6680883. —Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025

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 Slavic 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

Phrases Containing call

• altar call
• a place to call home
• at call
• at one's beck and call
• at someone's beck and call
• beyond the call of duty
• booty call
• bring/call/put into play
• call a halt to
• call-and-response
• call at
• call (a) time-out
• call-board
• call box
• call down
• call forwarding
• call girl
• call house
• call in
• call in on
• call in sick
• call into doubt
• call it an early night
• call it a night
• call it/them like one sees it/them
• call letters
• call loan
• call number
• call off
• call of nature
• call out
• call sheet
• call sign
• call slip
• call (someone) on the carpet
• call someone's bluff
• call (something) to order
• call/take the register
• call to arms
• call to quarters
• call up
• call-waiting
• cattle call
• clarion call
• close call
• cold call
• conference call
• courtesy call
• curtain call
• distress signal/call
• duck call
• give (someone) a call
• hear the call of the wild
• house call
• it's (someone's) call
• judgment call
• last call
• no call for
• not much call for
• on call
• pay (someone) a call
• port of call
• put in a call to
• return someone's call
• roll call
• sick call
• siren call
• take someone's call
• the call of nature
• to call one's own
• toll call
• too close to call
• trunk call
• wake-up call
• went beyond the call of duty
• within call

Rhymes for call

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• brawl
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• doll
• drawl
• fall
• gall

Kids Definition

call

1 of 2 verb

ˈkȯl 

1

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

call for help

2

: to utter in a loud clear voice

call out a command

3

a

: to announce with authority : proclaim

call a halt

b

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

4

: summon sense 1

call a meeting

5

: to bring into action or discussion

call up reserves

6

a

: to make a request or demand of or for

call for an end to war

b

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

7

: to make a telephone call to

8

: to make a brief visit

no salesperson will call

9

a

: to give a name to

called the cat "Patches"

b

: to address by a name

what did you call me

10

: to regard as being of a certain kind

you can call them generous

11

: to estimate as being

call it an even dollar

12

a

: to utter a cry

crows calling

b

: to attract game by imitating its cry

13

: halt entry 4 sense 2, suspend

call a game on account of rain

call time

caller noun

call

2 of 2 noun

1

: a loud cry : shout

2

a

: a cry of an animal

b

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

3

a

: summons entry 1 sense 1, invitation

b

: attraction sense 1

the call of the wild

4

a

: demand entry 1 sense 1a, claim

b

: request entry 1 sense 1

5

: a brief visit

6

: the act of calling on the telephone

7

: a ruling made by an official of a sports contest

8

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

Legal Definition

call

1 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to announce or recite loudly

called the civil trial list

2

: to admit (a person) as a barrister

was called to the bar

3

: to demand payment of especially by formal notice

call a loan

4

: 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

1

: a demand for payment of money: as

a

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

b

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

2

: call option at option 3

3

a

: a formal announcement or recitation

the daily call of the motion calendar

b

: roll call

the speaker ordered a call of the house