call upon

phrase

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

Examples of call upon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, Rabe might just have the toughest job of all, and not because she is regularly called upon to joust (sometimes loudly) with performers as skilled and, to repeat, beloved as Louis-Dreyfus and Harris. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee filled in for Hurts in Week 18 to close the 2025 season and will be called upon again this Sunday. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

The officials elected in 2026 will likely be called upon to respond to legal challenges to voter eligibility, election procedures and results, and, in some states, to defend or certify contested outcomes. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

The National Organization for Women (NOW) called upon women nationwide to strike for equality on that day. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for call upon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon