recall

1 of 2

verb

re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
recalled; recalling; recalls

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to call back
was recalled to active duty
a pitcher recalled from the minors
b
: to bring back to mind
recalled seeing her somewhere before
c
: to remind one of : resemble
a playwright who recalls the Elizabethan dramatists
3
recallability noun
recallable adjective
recaller noun

recall

2 of 2

noun

1
: a call to return
a recall of workers after a layoff
2
: the right or procedure by which an official may be removed by vote of the people
3
: remembrance of what has been learned or experienced
4
: the act of revoking
5
: a public call by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or contaminated
Choose the Right Synonym for recall

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Example Sentences

Verb She wanted to send him a letter but couldn't recall his address. I don't recall what time they said they would be here. It is important to recall that not very long ago cell phones did not exist. From what I recall, I think the library is two blocks down on the left. “The first time we met,” he recalled, “we got into a big argument.” As you may recall, we had agreed that decisions would require prior approval. “What's his address?” “I don't recall.” The ambassador was recalled from abroad. The factory is recalling all the cars because of a problem with the brakes. Officials recalled two tons of contaminated meat today. Noun They issued a recall of workers after the layoff. The factory has issued a recall of all cars with the defective brakes. She did mental exercises meant to improve her recall. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But the theater’s management found out somehow, as Fay would recall years later in an oral history, perhaps because Secret Service had to ensure the theater was safe. Matt Novak, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Survivors recall tornado's wrath Bracey Harris ROLLING FORK, Miss — Just before 8 p.m. Friday, Andrew Dennard heard a newscaster tell the people of Rolling Fork to take cover for a tornado. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 26 Mar. 2023 Wick’s adversaries recall a compilation of Bond villains — especially genre veterans Donnie Yen and Scott Adkins, who, along with Wick’s shady allies Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane, ground the narrative. Armond White, National Review, 24 Mar. 2023 While some point to her generally Democratic voting record, that alone is not enough to see her as more friendly to the Democratic agenda than not (after all, recall her elemental role in watering down Biden’s infrastructure bill, for instance). Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2023 Baseball fans may recall that Tiffany’s history with baseball dates even further back than that, though. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2023 The efforts to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell have failed. Julia Musto, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2023 Two albums in, Tomlinson’s solo career is beginning to recall some of the pandemonium of One Direction. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2023 As fans may recall, Nate's friendship with Ted was burned to the ground in season 2. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023
Noun
Earnings: Rivian's stock sank after the company issued a recall and posted mixed results. Wsj Staff, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023 Mead Johnson Nutrition has issued a voluntary recall of Enfamil ProSobee 12.9 oz. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 27 Feb. 2023 Makers of a nondairy baby formula issued a recall Sunday, fearing a bacterial contamination might have tainted up to 145,000 cans, the company and the Food and Drug Administration said. David K. Li, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2023 Anker has issued a recall of select Anker 535 Power Banks following the discovery of a manufacturing defect that can result in the device overheating, posing a potential fire hazard. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 16 Feb. 2023 Tesla On Thursday Tesla had to issue a recall for nearly 363,000 of its electric vehicles. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 16 Feb. 2023 Before too many bZ4X EVs were sold (258, to be exact), Toyota issued a recall over the possibility that the wheels could fall off. Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023 Ikea has issued a voluntary recall of its Odger swivel chairs after receiving at least four reports of the chairs breaking, and two reports of people being injured, according to a notice on the company’s website. Matt Novak, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 The manufacturer, Global Pharma Healthcare, has issued a nationwide recall of the product. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recall was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near recall

Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recall. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

recall

1 of 2 verb
re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
1
: cancel sense 2a, revoke
recalled the order
2
a
: to call back
soldiers recalled to active duty
recalled cars with brake problems
b
: to bring back to mind : remember
recalled seeing her somewhere before
recallable adjective

recall

2 of 2 noun
1
: a command to return
2
: a way in which a public official may be removed from office by vote of the people
3
: remembrance of what has been learned or experienced
4
: the act of canceling (as an order)
5
: a call by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or contaminated

Medical Definition

recall

noun
re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio) ˈrē-ˌ How to pronounce recall (audio)
: remembrance of what has been previously learned or experienced
recall transitive verb

Legal Definition

recall

noun
1
: a call to return
a recall of workers
2
: the right or procedure by which an official may be removed by vote of the people
a recall petition
3
: the act of revoking
4
: a public call by a manufacturer for the return of a defective or especially unsafe product
recall transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on recall

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