: allowing listeners to engage in broadcast telephone conversations with the host or a guest
a call-in show
called in; calling in; calls in
1
: to order to return or to be returned: such as
a
: to withdraw from an advanced position
call in the outposts
b
: to withdraw from circulation
call in bank notes and issue new ones
2
: to summon to one's aid or for consultation
call in a mediator
3
: to deliver (a message) by telephone
call in an order for pizza
: to communicate with a person by telephone
see also call in sick
Examples of call-in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual joint call-in-show and press conference, on December 19, 2025 in Moscow, Russia.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Forensic scientists were called in, but none of the roughly 100 people who were there had a noticeable physical reaction to the substance.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call-in
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
When Mike Ditka brought his call-in show from WGN-AM to the Score in 1992, WSCR bosses assigned Boers to serve as one of the station’s interlocutors.
—Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual joint call-in-show and press conference, on December 19, 2025 in Moscow, Russia.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
When a general election was called in the summer of 2024, the United Kingdom was ready for change.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Forensic scientists were called in, but none of the roughly 100 people who were there had a noticeable physical reaction to the substance.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for call-in
Cite this Entry
“Call-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call-in. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
