call-and-response
noun
call-and-re·sponse
ˌkȯl-ən(d)-ri-ˈspän(t)s 
: a statement quickly followed by an answering statement
also
: a musical phrase in which the first and often solo part is answered by a second and often ensemble part
Examples of call-and-response in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indeed, there is an element of call-and-response to the We Do Not Care Club, which Sanders herself has, consciously or not, encouraged.
—
Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
Though initially escaping wider chart success in 1978, a live recording in 1988 saw the track hit No. 11 in Australia – largely thanks to the profane call-and-response chorus added in by local fans.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
There was bouncing, drumming, singing, even a call-and-response chant with another group of Swedish fans sitting in another part of the stadium in the second half.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 July 2025
After, another speaker led the crowd in a call-and-response song that called Trump a rapist and ended with an image of the president being handcuffed.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for call-and-response
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Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2025
Though initially escaping wider chart success in 1978, a live recording in 1988 saw the track hit No. 11 in Australia – largely thanks to the profane call-and-response chorus added in by local fans.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
There was bouncing, drumming, singing, even a call-and-response chant with another group of Swedish fans sitting in another part of the stadium in the second half.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 26 July 2025
After, another speaker led the crowd in a call-and-response song that called Trump a rapist and ended with an image of the president being handcuffed.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for call-and-response
Cite this Entry
“Call-and-response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call-and-response. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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