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

Promoting his late-night relationship advice call-in show, Cannon, 44, said age, experience and fatherhood have tempered his player proclivities. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2025

LaChance’s move into media started with humble beginnings as a call-in guest on Wickstrom’s radio show. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 July 2025

Verb

Several local agencies from neighboring towns were called in to assist in dispersing the unruly crowd, and no injuries were reported among the officers. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Cannon, who had also claimed to have helped find hundreds of missing children, was a guest on a Cincinnati radio show when Mary called in. —Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 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