call-and-response

noun

call-and-re·​sponse ˌkȯl-ən(d)-ri-ˈspän(t)s 

: a statement quickly followed by an answering statement

also : a musical phrase in which the first and often solo part is answered by a second and often ensemble part

Examples of call-and-response in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Though initially escaping wider chart success in 1978, a live recording in 1988 saw the track hit No. 11 in Australia – largely thanks to the profane call-and-response chorus added in by local fans. —Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025

There was bouncing, drumming, singing, even a call-and-response chant with another group of Swedish fans sitting in another part of the stadium in the second half. —Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 July 2025

After, another speaker led the crowd in a call-and-response song that called Trump a rapist and ended with an image of the president being handcuffed. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 July 2025

Locals cheered and swayed, heartily piping out call-and-response prompts a la Queen. —Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for call-and-response

• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• sconce
• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• renaissance
• naissance
• response