call upon

phrase

1

: require, oblige

may be called upon to do several jobs

2

: to make a demand on : depend on

universities are called upon to produce trained professionals

Examples of call upon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Andrew Friedman is confident about the Dodgers’ bullpen adapting to late-inning, high-leverage situations in the playoffs no matter who might be called upon. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

The United States Congress has been called upon during the most important moments in American history to make difficult decisions about the future of our country. — Sen. Rand Paul Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Houston backup Davis Mills went 3-0 in 2025 when called upon by the Texans. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

The Burnett show called upon him to design everything from evening gowns to wacky character clothing. — Maureen Lee Lenker, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for call upon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon