call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
Recent Examples on the Web April 2021 Rodriguez and Lopez announced their engagement was called off. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 July 2024 Police call off search, share very little information Just a few hours later, authorities shared that the girl was no longer considered a missing person, but gave very few details. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024 At Least 2 Dead as Heavy Rain and Significant Flooding Continues in South Florida: See the Photos Rock Valley mayor Kevin Van Otterloo told the AP that a state helicopter had been called to assist residents stranded in their homes, but was later called off. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 29 June 2024 They got engaged in October of 2018, but called off their relationship the following August. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for call off 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'call off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near call off

Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on call off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!