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
While Bethesda is involved with the show, its game, Fallout 5, which will be released sometime in the 2030s, is too far out for the Prime Video series to be a genuine call-and-response between the mediums.
—
Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Behind him, a group of men hoisted a bullhorn-wielding friend on their shoulders to lead a call-and-response.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The biggest moments from Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address
Biden also made jokes, invited audience participation and engaged in some call-and-response throughout the evening, capitalizing on interruptions from lawmakers to pivot to Democratic talking points.
—Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
For 68 minutes in the House chamber, Biden goaded Republicans over their policies, invited call-and-response banter with fellow Democrats on economic issues, taxes and healthcare and seemed to revel in the fight.
—Zeke Miller, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
Attwell employs the call-and-response dynamic that’s been the domain of theatre and church from the very beginning.
—Giovanni René Rodriguez, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
In an earlier scene, Cox performs a call-and-response banjo duet with a young native (Billy Redden) in an iconic musical sequence.
—Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Some of them enthusiastically parroted several of the mayor’s call-and-response chants from the stage.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
The demonstration began, and Ahmed spoke first, doing his best to distill his discursive style into something closer to call-and-response.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023
Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Behind him, a group of men hoisted a bullhorn-wielding friend on their shoulders to lead a call-and-response.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The biggest moments from Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address
Biden also made jokes, invited audience participation and engaged in some call-and-response throughout the evening, capitalizing on interruptions from lawmakers to pivot to Democratic talking points.
—Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
For 68 minutes in the House chamber, Biden goaded Republicans over their policies, invited call-and-response banter with fellow Democrats on economic issues, taxes and healthcare and seemed to revel in the fight.
—Zeke Miller, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024
Attwell employs the call-and-response dynamic that’s been the domain of theatre and church from the very beginning.
—Giovanni René Rodriguez, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
In an earlier scene, Cox performs a call-and-response banjo duet with a young native (Billy Redden) in an iconic musical sequence.
—Rhett Bartlett, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2024
Some of them enthusiastically parroted several of the mayor’s call-and-response chants from the stage.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
The demonstration began, and Ahmed spoke first, doing his best to distill his discursive style into something closer to call-and-response.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'call-and-response.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 25 Apr. 2024.
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