roll call

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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 : ¹list

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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 of roll call from the Web

With more subcommittees, more amendments, and more roll call votes, the opportunities to expose and attack the opposition multiplied.

— david holahan, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Class of '74' chronicles a young, liberal, and impatient House of Representatives," 12 Apr. 2018
To continue reading this story, TRY IT NOW Over the past two years, Elizondo, 82, has been present for roll call at only 27 of 59 Commissioners Court meetings, a 46 percent rate of attendance, according to county archives.

— gilbert garcia, San Antonio Express-News, "Elizondo chided for repeated tardiness at Commissioners Court," 7 Apr. 2018
Hill Street opened with a raucous roll call after which Sgt.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Steven Bochco, who forever changed TV, dies at 74," 2 Apr. 2018
Any student not present at the second roll call, Simeck said, would be marked as having an unexcused absence.

— susan berger, chicagotribune.com, "Lake Forest students register to vote as part of gun violence protest," 14 Mar. 2018
In addition to the new lobby, upgrades to the police department included the addition of two changing rooms to the locker room and a new meeting/interview room and the expansion of the roll call room.

— janelle walker, Elgin Courier-News, "South Elgin shows off its newly renovated village hall," 20 Mar. 2018
For each name on the roll call, one Whitman student stood up.

— joe heim, Washington Post, "Thousands of students walk out of school in nationwide gun violence protest," 14 Mar. 2018
But in a mark of the vote's historic and legislative significance, the White House sent Vice President Joe Biden to preside over the Senate for the roll call.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018
On display are two photos of the 29th Regiment in Beaufort, perhaps at roll call.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Exhibit Focuses On Locals In Civil War," 14 Mar. 2018

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.

First Known Use of roll call

1763

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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roll call Synonyms

Synonyms

canon, catalog (or catalogue), checklist, list, listing, menu, register, registry, roll, roster, schedule, table;

calendar, chronology, timetable;

ROLL CALL Defined for English Language Learners

roll call

noun

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

Law Dictionary

roll call

noun

: 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

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