roll call

noun

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Definition of roll call

1 : the act or an instance of calling off a list of names (as for checking attendance) also : a time for a roll call

2 : list entry 1

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Examples of roll call in a Sentence

Two students missed roll call. the roll call of the fallen was read aloud at the memorial service

Recent Examples on the Web Both parties’ leaders were rounding up votes as Thursday’s roll call approached, with each side eager to come as close to unanimity as possible. — Matthew Daly, The Denver Post, "Democrats push impeachment rules package through House," 31 Oct. 2019 Its roll call of global backers also includes Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, former US vice president Al Gore and tennis superstar Serena Williams. — Yomi Kazeem, Quartz Africa, "Andela is overhauling its outsourcing model in Africa—and letting go of up to 400 developers," 17 Sep. 2019 The number of Senate roll call votes on amendments — a key indicator of whether lawmakers are engaged in free and open debate — plummeted to only 18 this year, according to a review of congressional data. — Sheryl Gay Stolberg, BostonGlobe.com, "McConnell promised to end Senate gridlock. Instead, Republicans are stuck in neutral," 3 Aug. 2019 Americans marked the 18th anniversary of 9/11 with wreath-layings and the solemn roll call of the dead. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: A victory for Trump’s asylum ban," 12 Sep. 2019 Disclaimer: The following roll call is not comprehensive, nor listed in chronological order: 1. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Antonio Brown’s spat with Mike Mayock reminds of T.O., Sprewell, other Bay Area infights," 5 Sep. 2019 The Davis roll call features a mix of personalities. — NBC News, "11 brothers from Alabama, 158 years of U.S. military service," 31 July 2019 Star Wars fans first glimpsed a Trandoshan when Bossk appeared Darth Vader’s bounty hunter roll call in The Empire Strikes Back. — James Hibberd, EW.com, "The Mandalorian fights Trandoshans in new photo from Star Wars series," 3 Sep. 2019 There were malaria, dysentery and roll calls under the punishing sun, until one day in 1944 when an unusual roll was ordered. — Emily Langer, Washington Post, "Jan Ruff-O’Herne, seeker of dignity for fellow ‘comfort women’ of World War II, dies at 96," 27 Aug. 2019

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

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Last Updated

11 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for roll call

The first known use of roll call was in 1763

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More Definitions for roll call

roll call

noun

English Language Learners Definition of roll call

: the act of saying each of the names on a list to find out who is present

: a list of people or things

See the full definition for roll call in the English Language Learners Dictionary

roll call

noun

Legal Definition of roll call

: the act or an instance of calling off a list of names (as for checking attendance) specifically : an act or instance of calling the roll of a legislative body to determine if there is a quorum or to vote on a matter