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

Phrases

call in sick

: to report by telephone that one will be absent because of illness

Examples of call-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What To Know During the live broadcast of filmed from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C., Trump joined via call-in for Veterans Day. AJ Hawk, sports analyst and former linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, asked Trump which NFL coach might make a great president. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025

It’s somehow been almost six years since one Sabres fan gave voice to their collective misery in a memorable call-in radio rant. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Verb

But after the story broke on Fox Tuesday, a whistleblower called in to my radio show. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025

The final turnover was a five-second call in which Randle was unable to inbound the ball in time. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025

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
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Legal Definition

call in

transitive verb

: call sense 4