Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense recalls, present participle recalling, past tense, past participle recalledpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (rɪkɔːl). The noun is pronounced (riːkɔːl).
1. verb
When you recall something, you remember it and tell others about it.
Henderson recalled that he first met Pollard during a business trip to Washington. [VERB that]
Her teacher recalled: 'She was always on about modelling.' [VERB with quote]
Colleagues today recall with humor how meetings would crawl into the early morninghours. [VERB wh]
I recalled the way they had been dancing together. [VERB noun]
I have no idea what she said, something about airline travel, I seem to recall. [VERB]
Synonyms: recollect, remember, call up, evoke More Synonyms of recall
2. verb
You can say as I recall, you might recall, or you will recall to someone that you are talking to when you want to mention something that you are both already aware of which is relevant to the discussion.
As I recall, you're not on the board, Joe; you're only a minor shareholder. [VERB]
At the final a fortnight ago, you will recall that after eight minutes the club hada two-goal lead. [VERB that]
3. uncountable noun
Recall is the ability to remember something that has happened in the past or the act of remembering it.
He had a good memory, and total recall of her spoken words. [+ of]
Synonyms: recollection, memory, remembrance More Synonyms of recall
4. verb
If you arerecalled to your home, country, or the place where you work, you are ordered to return there.
The Ambassador was recalled after a row over refugees seeking asylum at the embassy. [VERB noun]
Parliament was recalled from its summer recess. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: call back, bring back, order back, summon back More Synonyms of recall
Recall is also a noun.
The recall of ambassador Alan Green was a public signal of America's concern. [+ of]
5. verb
In sport, if a player is recalledto a team, he or she is included in that team again after being left out.
He is still delighted at being recalled to the Argentina squad after a nine-yearabsence. [beVERB-ed + to]
I had done enough after being recalled against Pakistan to have got on the tour toIndia. [beVERB-ed]
Recall is also a noun.
It would be great to get a recall to the England squad for Sweden. [+ to]
6. verb
If a company recalls a product, it asks the shops or the people who have bought that product to return it because there is something wrong with it.
The toy company said it was recalling the building set. [VERB noun]
More than 3,000 cars were recalled yesterday because of a brake problem. [VERB noun]
7.
See beyond recall
More Synonyms of recall
recall in British English
verb (rɪˈkɔːl)(transitive)
1. (may take a clause as object)
to bring back to mind; recollect; remember
2.
to order to return; call back permanently or temporarily
to recall an ambassador
3.
to revoke or take back
4.
to cause (one's thoughts, attention, etc) to return from a reverie or digression
5. poetic
to restore or revive
noun (ˈriːkɔːl)
6.
the act of recalling or state of being recalled
7.
revocation or cancellation
8.
the ability to remember things; recollection
9. military
(esp formerly) a signal to call back troops, etc, usually a bugle call
to sound the recall
10. South Africa
the process by which elected officials may be deprived of office by members of their party
11. US
the process by which elected officials may be deprived of office by popular vote
Derived forms
recallable (reˈcallable)
adjective
recall in American English
(rɪˈkɔl; also, & for n. & 4 usually, ˈriˌkɔl)
verb transitive
1.
to call back; ask or order to return; specif., to ask purchasers to return (an imperfect or dangerous product), often so that a manufacturing defect can be corrected
2.
to bring back to mind; remember
3.
to take back; cancel; annul; revoke; withdraw
4. US
to remove from office by the process of recall
5.
to bring (the mind, attention, etc.) back, as to the immediate situation
6. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic
to revive
noun
7.
the act of recalling
8.
the ability to remember; memory
9. Military
a signal, as on a bugle or drum, calling soldiers back to camp or ranks
10. US
the process of removing, or right to remove, an official from office by popular vote, usually after using petitions to call for such a vote
Derived forms
recallable (reˈcallable)
adjective
Examples of 'recall' in a sentence
recall
You may recall that we elected our representatives to it only last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He still recalls that experience with a shudder.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Whether the British product recall system can be improved is another issue.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He recalls one particularly hairy incident involving Angelina.
The Sun (2016)
He also recalled his colleague's way with money.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The trailer presents a product recall: a small group of renegade robots are being hunted down.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Another group of the study participants were asked to recall about an emotionallyneutral life experience, and also find a lesson in that.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
She recalled the 2000 election.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I recall winning about 250 some 35 years ago but no other prizes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Fifty per cent failure of recall again.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is a certain symmetry about his recall.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She also has suspiciously total recall of extended conversations.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The day may have recalled their atonement.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
We do not intend to do any recall on the product.
The Sun (2011)
One result of this may be that making new memories or recalling older ones becomes more difficult.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
His career will also be recalled for a match in which he did not actually play.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Plus a brain with a memory so he can recall all the election promises he made.
The Sun (2011)
This means she is recalling a visual memory from the past.
The Sun (2012)
And how many voters would have to back a petition to force a recall vote?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They could have been stopped if the recall process had been carried out properly.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The crime here is one you may recall.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are recalling these products as a precautionary measure.
The Sun (2013)
No one can recall him being involved in a fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It was on the same day it emerged about the global recall that we got to know the news about redundancies.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She also recalled his local accent.
The Sun (2015)
Park is not sure of a recall after returning to training on Thursday following injury.
The Sun (2006)
Despite the ravages of illness and many demands on his time he once again replied and recalled our meeting all those years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Other cast members recalled the incident on Twitter.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He was recalled to the squad for the summer Tests but pulled out because of a thigh injury.
The Sun (2010)
I still recall it as one of the great days of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
I have a handful of friends with near total recall.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The officer recalled seeing the hair, but didn't know what happened to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
recall
British English: recall VERB
remember When you recall something, you remember it and tell others about it.
He recalled that he first met him during a business trip abroad.
I believe we have met, sir, although you might not recall.
American English: recall
Brazilian Portuguese: recordar
Chinese: 回忆道
European Spanish: recordar
French: se rappeler
German: sich erinnern an
Italian: ricordare
Japanese: 思い出す
Korean: 기억해 내다
European Portuguese: recordar
Latin American Spanish: recordar
British English: recall NOUN
Recall is the ability to remember something that has happened in the past or the act of remembering it.
He had a good memory, and total recall of her spoken words.
American English: recall
Brazilian Portuguese: recordação
Chinese: 记忆力
European Spanish: recuerdo
French: souvenir
German: Erinnerung
Italian: memoria
Japanese: 記憶力
Korean: 기억력
European Portuguese: recordação
Latin American Spanish: recuerdo
British English: recall VERB
player In sport, if a player is recalled to a team, he or she is included in that team again after being left out.
He was recalled to the squad for the match with the rival country.
American English: recall
Brazilian Portuguese: reconvocar
Chinese: 召回某人
European Spanish: convocar de nuevo
French: rappeler
German: zurückrufen
Italian: riconvocare
Japanese: 呼び戻す
Korean: 다시 불러들이다
European Portuguese: reconvocado
Latin American Spanish: convocar de nuevo
All related terms of 'recall'
free recall
the recollection of the members of a list of items without regard to their serial order
recall slip
a printed piece of paper sent by library staff to a borrower's home address to remind them that a book is overdue
beyond recall
If something is beyond recall , it is no longer possible to remember how it was or to bring it back to its original condition.
total recall
the faculty or an instance of complete and clear recall of every detail of something
recall details
The details of something are its individual features or elements.
Chinese translation of 'recall'
recall
(vbrɪˈkɔːl; nˈriːkɔl)
vt
(= remember) 记(記)起 (jìqǐ)
(= recount) 回忆(憶)起 (huíyìqǐ)
(= call back)
[parliament, ambassador etc]召回 (zhàohuí)
[product]收回 (shōuhuí)
n
(u)[of memories]回忆(憶) (huíyì)
(s)[of ambassador etc]召回 (zhàohuí)
beyond recall无(無)法恢复(復) (wúfǎ huīfù)
1 (verb)
Definition
to bring back to mind
I recalled the way they had been dancing together.
Synonyms
recollect
She spoke with warmth when she recollected the doctor who had treated her.
remember
He was remembering the old days.
call up
evoke
The programme has evoked a storm of protest.
summon up
reminisce about
call to mind
look or think back to
mind (dialect)
2 (verb)
Definition
to bring back to mind
His speech recalled that famous election pledge of his father.
Synonyms
bring to mind
call up
evoke
Hearing these songs can still evoke strong memories and emotions.
conjure up
call to mind
put you in mind of
3 (verb)
Definition
to order to return
Parliament was recalled from its summer recess.
Synonyms
call back
bring back
order back
summon back
4 (verb)
Definition
to annul or cancel
The order was recalled.
Synonyms
annul
The marriage was annulled last month.
withdraw
He withdrew his remarks and said he had not intended to cause offence.
call in
take back
cancel
Her insurance had been cancelled by the company.
repeal
The government has just repealed that law.
call back
revoke
The government revoked his licence.
retract
He hurriedly sought to retract the statement.
rescind
You will rescind that order immediately.
nullify
He used his broad executive powers to nullify decisions by local government.
countermand
I can't countermand her orders.
abjure
1 (noun)
Definition
the ability to remember things
He had a total recall of her spoken words.
Synonyms
recollection
He had no recollection of the crash.
memory
He had happy memories of his father.
remembrance
He had clung to the remembrance of things past.
2 (noun)
Definition
an order to return
The recall of the ambassador is a public sign of concern.
Synonyms
calling back
bringing back
summons
summoning back
3 (noun)
It would be great to get a recall to the squad.
Synonyms
call up
4 (noun)
The appellant sought a recall of the order.
Synonyms
annulment
the annulment of the elections
withdrawal
The charity insists on a withdrawal of the accusations.
repeal
a repeal of the age of consent law
cancellation
a march calling for the cancellation of debt
retraction
revocation
nullification
rescission
rescindment
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cancel
Her insurance had been cancelled by the company.
Synonyms
annul,
abolish,
repeal,
abort,
quash,
do away with,
revoke,
repudiate,
rescind,
obviate,
abrogate,
countermand,
eliminate
in the sense of cancellation
a march calling for the cancellation of debt
Synonyms
annulment,
abolition,
repeal,
elimination,
quashing,
revocation
in the sense of countermand
Definition
to cancel (a previous order)
I can't countermand her orders.
Synonyms
cancel,
reverse,
override,
repeal,
revoke,
retract,
rescind,
annul
Synonyms of 'recall'
recall
Explore 'recall' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of evoke
Definition
to provoke or bring about
The programme has evoked a storm of protest.
Synonyms
arouse,
cause,
excite,
stimulate,
induce,
awaken,
give rise to,
stir up,
rekindle,
summon up
in the sense of evoke
Definition
to provoke or bring about
Hearing these songs can still evoke strong memories and emotions.
Synonyms
provoke,
produce,
elicit,
call to mind,
call forth,
educe (rare)
in the sense of memory
Definition
a particular recollection of an event or person
He had happy memories of his father.
Synonyms
recollection,
reminder,
reminiscence,
impression,
echo,
remembrance
in the sense of nullify
Definition
to make (something) legally void
He used his broad executive powers to nullify decisions by local government.
Synonyms
invalidate,
quash,
revoke,
render null and void,
abolish,
void,
repeal,
rescind,
annul,
abrogate
in the sense of remember
Definition
to become aware of (something forgotten) again
He was remembering the old days.
Synonyms
recall,
think back to,
recollect,
reminisce about,
retain,
recognize,
call up,
look back on,
hark back to,
summon up,
call to mind,
cast your mind back to
in the sense of remembrance
Definition
a memory
He had clung to the remembrance of things past.
Synonyms
memory,
recollection,
thought,
recall,
recognition,
retrospect,
reminiscence,
anamnesis
in the sense of repeal
Definition
to cancel (a law) officially
The government has just repealed that law.
Synonyms
abolish,
reverse,
revoke,
annul,
recall,
withdraw,
cancel,
set aside,
rescind,
invalidate,
nullify,
obviate,
abrogate,
countermand,
declare null and void
in the sense of repeal
Definition
the act of repealing
a repeal of the age of consent law
Synonyms
abolition,
withdrawal,
cancellation,
rescinding,
annulment,
revocation,
nullification,
abrogation,
rescission,
invalidation,
rescindment
in the sense of rescind
Definition
to annul or repeal
You will rescind that order immediately.
Synonyms
annul,
recall,
reverse,
cancel,
overturn,
set aside,
void,
repeal,
quash,
revoke,
retract,
invalidate,
obviate,
abrogate,
countermand,
declare null and void
in the sense of rescission
Synonyms
annulment,
recall,
setting aside,
reversal,
repeal,
cancellation,
retraction,
revocation,
abrogation,
invalidation,
voidance,
rescindment
Additional synonyms
in the sense of retract
Definition
to withdraw (a statement, charge, etc.) as invalid or unjustified
He hurriedly sought to retract the statement.
Synonyms
withdraw,
take back,
revoke,
disown,
deny,
recall,
reverse,
cancel,
repeal,
renounce,
go back on,
repudiate,
rescind,
renege on,
back out of,
disavow,
recant,
disclaim,
abjure,
eat your words,
unsay
in the sense of revoke
Definition
to take back or cancel (an agreement, will, etc.)
The government revoked his licence.
Synonyms
cancel,
recall,
withdraw,
reverse,
abolish,
set aside,
repeal,
renounce,
quash,
take back,
call back,
retract,
repudiate,
negate,
renege,
rescind,
invalidate,
annul,
nullify,
recant,
obviate,
disclaim,
abrogate,
countermand,
declare null and void
in the sense of withdraw
Definition
to take back (a statement) formally
He withdrew his remarks and said he had not intended to cause offence.
Synonyms
retract,
recall,
take back,
revoke,
rescind,
disavow,
recant,
disclaim,
abjure,
unsay
in the sense of withdrawal
Definition
the act or an instance of withdrawing
The charity insists on a withdrawal of the accusations.