call-in

1 of 2

adjective

ˈkȯl-ˌin 

: allowing listeners to engage in broadcast telephone conversations with the host or a guest

a call-in show

call in

2 of 2

verb

called in; calling in; calls in

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to communicate with a person by telephone

see also:

call in sick

Examples of call-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

All the text of Kramer/Fauci is taken from a C-SPAN call-in broadcast aired on November 30, 1993, the day before World AIDS Day. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

If Japan has manga and Korea has webtoons, Thailand has call-in ghost stories programs. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

One of Salerno’s friends called in a tip to police, telling them to go check the apartment again. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Our Fire and Police Departments remain the primary responders to crisis calls in Chicago, in part because of the responsibilities placed upon them by law and regulation. — Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for call-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Legal Definition

call in

transitive verb

: call sense 4