call
1 of 2verb
ˈkȯl 
called; calling; calls
intransitive verb
1
a
: to speak in a loud distinct voice so as to be heard at a distance : shout
call for help
b
: to make a request or demand
call for an investigation
c
of an animal : to utter a characteristic note or cry
d
: to speak to or attempt to reach someone by means of a call (see call entry 2 sense 8)
just called to say hello
I call once a week to talk to my parents.
Several weeks later our son's family called to FaceTime with us.—
Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana)
—often used with upDaily Reporter (Greenfield, Indiana) She called up and asked if we wanted to come over for dinner.
e
: to make a demand in card games (as for a particular card or for a show of hands)
f
: to give the calls for a square dance
2
: to make a brief visit
called to pay his respects
called on a friend
transitive verb
1
a(1)
: to utter in a loud distinct voice —often used with out
call out a number
(2)
: to announce or read loudly or authoritatively
call the roll
call off a row of figures
(3)
: to announce the play-by-play of (a sports event, such as a football game)
b(1)
: to command or request to come or be present
was called to testify
(2)
: to cause to come : bring
calls to mind an old saying
c
: to summon to a particular activity, employment, or office
was called to active duty
was called to the bar of justice
d
: to invite or command to meet : convoke
call a meeting
e
: to rouse from sleep or summon to get up
f(1)
: to give the order for : bring into action
call a strike against the company
call a pitchout
(2)
: to manage by giving the signals or orders
that catcher calls a good game
g(1)
: to make a demand in bridge for (a card or suit)
(2)
: to require (a player) to show the hand in poker by making an equal bet
(3)
: to challenge to make good on a statement
(4)
: to charge with or censure for an offense
deserves to be called on that
h
: to attract (game) by imitating the characteristic cry
i
: to halt (something, such as a baseball game) because of unsuitable conditions
j
: to rule on the status of (a pitched ball, a player's action, etc.)
call balls and strikes
call a base runner safe
k
: to give the calls for (a square dance) —often used with off
l(1)
: to demand payment of especially by formal notice
call a loan
(2)
: to demand presentation of (something, such as a bond or option) for redemption
The bonds could be called 10 years after issue.
m(1)
: to speak to or attempt to reach (someone) by means of a call (see call entry 2 sense 8)
call the doctor to make an appointment
I try to call my parents at least once a week.
He arranged for his wife, Stacey, to call him via Skype online from Kylee's fourth-grade classroom on Monday morning—a complete surprise to his daughter.—Elaine Allenemrich
—often used with upElaine Allenemrich Call me up when you get back from your vacation.
(2)
: to generate signals for (a telephone number) in order to reach the party to whom the number is assigned
call 911
(3)
: to make a signal to in order to transmit a message
call the flagship
2
a
: to speak of or address by a specified name : give a name to
call her Kitty
b(1)
: to regard or characterize as of a certain kind : consider
can hardly be called generous
(2)
: to estimate or consider for purposes of an estimate or for convenience
call it an even dollar
c(1)
: to describe correctly in advance of or without knowledge of the event : predict
He called the upward trend of the stock market in February.
(2)
: to name or specify in advance
call the toss of a coin
3
: to temporarily transfer control of computer processing to (something, such as a subroutine or procedure)
call
2 of 2noun
plural calls
1
a
: an act of calling with the voice : shout
a call for help
b
: an imitation of the cry of a bird or other animal made to attract it
c
: an instrument used for calling
a duck call
d
: the cry of an animal (such as a bird)
2
a
: a request or command to come or assemble
b
: a summons or signal on a drum, bugle, or pipe
c
: admission to the bar as a barrister
d
: an invitation to become the minister of a church or to accept a professional appointment
e
: a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action
f
: a summoning of actors to rehearsal
the call is for 11 o'clock
g
: the attraction or appeal of a particular activity, condition, or place
the call of the wild
h
: an order specifying the number of men to be inducted into the armed services during a specified period
i
: the selection of a play in football
the quarterback's call in the huddle
3
a
: demand, claim
The aircraft industry continues to have first call on aluminum production.—Americana Annual
Americana Annual b
: need, justification
there's no call for such behavior
c
: a demand for payment of money
d
: an option to buy a specified amount of a security (such as stock) or commodity (such as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time compare put sense 2
e
: an instance of asking for something : request
many calls for Christmas stories
4
: roll call
5
: a short usually formal visit
pay a call on a neighbor
6
: the name or thing called
the call was heads
7
: the act of calling in a card game
8
: the act of speaking to or attempting to reach someone by telephone or by a similar online communication service
a telephone call
a video call
made a call to the mayor
In a time before keeping in touch was an internet call away, I'd have to say goodbye forever to bedrooms, to classrooms, to friends.—Soniah Kamal
Soniah KamalSoon after news of Bazemore's return broke, Curry shared a screenshot on Instagram of the two friends on a FaceTime call. Both were smiling, no longer thinking of what-ifs.—Wes Goldberg
Wes Goldberg9
: a direction or a succession of directions for a square dance rhythmically called to the dancers
10
: a decision or ruling made by an official of a sports contest
also : decision sense 1
a tough call to make
11
: a temporary transfer of control of computer processing to a particular set of instructions (such as a subroutine or procedure)
Phrases
call a spade a spade 1
: to call a thing by its right name however coarse
2
: to speak frankly
Why don't you just call a spade a spade and say that he is a liar?
1
: to call (as at one's house) to get
I'll call for you after dinner
2
: to require as necessary or appropriate
the job calls for typing skills
the design calls for three windows
: elicit, evoke
these events call forth great emotions
: to cast doubt upon
a report calling into question the drug's effectiveness
: to stop for the remainder of the day or for the present whatever one has been doing
worked another couple of hours and then called it a day
: to call it a day : quit
: to address or speak of a person or thing contemptuously or offensively
1
: to call upon
Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
2
: to elicit a response from (someone, such as a student)
the teacher called on her first
3
US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
… offering ample ammunition to anyone wanting to call her on her fascination with all things violent and degrading.—Michael Upchurch
Michael Upchurch : to challenge in order to expose an empty pretense or threat
I called his bluff just to see if he really meant what he said.—Brandy Rankins
Brandy Rankins : to be in charge or control : determine the policy or procedure
The secretary called the shots all through the meeting.
: to call the shots
: to ask for or grant a time-out
: to hold responsible : reprimand
He was called to account by his boss for making the error.
1
: require, oblige
may be called upon to do several jobs
2
: to make a demand on : depend on
universities are called upon to produce trained professionals
1
a
: available for use : at the service of
thousands of men at his call
b
: ready to respond to a summons or command
a doctor on call
2
: subject to demand for payment or return without previous notice
money lent at call
: within hearing or reach of a summons : subject to summons
Synonyms
Verb
- bawl
- bay
- bellow
- cry
- holler
- hollo
- halloo
- hallo
- roar
- shout
- sound off
- thunder
- vociferate
- yell
Noun
- cry
- note
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He called to passersby for help. She called up to her husband, who was at the top of the stairs. Her husband called back down to her. She saw her friends across the street and called over to them. He called her name in his sleep. The birds were calling as the sun rose. I call once a week to talk to my parents. Where are you calling from? May I say who's calling? I try to call my parents at least once a week. Noun A local call costs less than a long-distance or an international call. If there are any calls for me during the meeting, say that I'll call back later. I got a call from my brother last night. He gave a call to passersby for help. We heard a bird that had a very loud and unusual call. He's an expert at doing bird calls. He has a large collection of duck calls. the call of a trumpet The government has issued a call to its supporters to defend it and hopes they will answer its call. The campaigners renewed their calls for reform. See More
Recent Examples on the WebEmily Baker-white, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time. —Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023 Breakouts might call for the Salicylic + Green Tea Exfoliating Cleanser and Aloe + Algae Lightweight Gel Cream, whereas dry skin might crave a boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum. —Lisa Desantis, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023 Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives. —WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 However, today most young people rarely call each other. —Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023 Their children’s schoolmates call the sisters the Puffling Queens. —Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023 Those in need of shelter from the cold can call 211 to check availability of beds. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023 Jennifer E. Mabry, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2023 That call has gone largely unheeded—a big reason why the country’s housing market remains in the doldrums. —Rebecca Feng And Cao Li, WSJ, 21 Feb. 2023 For Peyton, who was an Air Force lieutenant colonel, that decisive call was a heart-racing moment. —Dominic Gates, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2023 Fielding a call from his wife, Priscilla, Elvis is revealed to be in bed with a groupie. —Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023 In response to the Globe’s request, Healey’s office denied access to her e-mails and phone call logs. —Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Feb. 2023 Advertisement President Biden had a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni late Monday night, before she was scheduled to visit Ukraine, according to a White House readout. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 In a spirit of neighborliness, a call was placed to Aaron Aziz, a commercial-real-estate broker, to look for alternative pitlike spaces nearby for the plaintiffs to use. —Micah Hauser, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023 Deputies were working the crime scene when a second 911 call alerted authorities to another shooting a few miles away. —Dallas News, 18 Feb. 2023 See More
Verb
Congress might also call on President Biden to ban TikTok under the IEEPA. —Emily Baker-white, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time. —Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2023 Breakouts might call for the Salicylic + Green Tea Exfoliating Cleanser and Aloe + Algae Lightweight Gel Cream, whereas dry skin might crave a boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum. —Lisa Desantis, Allure, 14 Feb. 2023 Marx himself would call DEI a classic case of ideology, a set of benign-seeming ideas that disguise the workings of the rulers, in this case empowered progressives. —WSJ, 14 Feb. 2023 However, today most young people rarely call each other. —Andrea Wigfield, CNN, 14 Feb. 2023 Their children’s schoolmates call the sisters the Puffling Queens. —Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023 Those in need of shelter from the cold can call 211 to check availability of beds. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023 Noun
Barber's call to action in 2022:Poor, low-income voters can't afford to sit out this election. —Jennifer E. Mabry, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2023 That call has gone largely unheeded—a big reason why the country’s housing market remains in the doldrums. —Rebecca Feng And Cao Li, WSJ, 21 Feb. 2023 For Peyton, who was an Air Force lieutenant colonel, that decisive call was a heart-racing moment. —Dominic Gates, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Feb. 2023 Fielding a call from his wife, Priscilla, Elvis is revealed to be in bed with a groupie. —Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023 In response to the Globe’s request, Healey’s office denied access to her e-mails and phone call logs. —Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Feb. 2023 Advertisement President Biden had a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni late Monday night, before she was scheduled to visit Ukraine, according to a White House readout. —Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023 In a spirit of neighborliness, a call was placed to Aaron Aziz, a commercial-real-estate broker, to look for alternative pitlike spaces nearby for the plaintiffs to use. —Micah Hauser, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023 Deputies were working the crime scene when a second 911 call alerted authorities to another shooting a few miles away. —Dallas News, 18 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old Norse kalla; akin to Old English hildecalla battle herald, Old High German kallōn to talk loudly, Old Church Slavonic glasŭ voice
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing call
Kids Definition
call
1 of 2 verb ˈkȯl
1
: to speak so as to be heard at a distance : shout
call for help
2
: to utter in a loud clear voice
call out a command
3
a
: to announce with authority : proclaim
call a halt
b
: to announce the action of (as a sports game)
4
: summon sense 1
call a meeting
5
: to bring into action or discussion
call up reserves
6
a
: to make a request or demand of or for
call for an end to war
b
: to give temporary control of a computer to a particular set of instructions
7
: to make a telephone call to
8
: to make a brief visit
no salesperson will call
9
a
: to give a name to
called the cat "Patches"
b
: to address by a name
what did you call me
10
: to regard as being of a certain kind
you can call them generous
11
: to estimate as being
call it an even dollar
12
a
: to utter a cry
crows calling
b
: to attract game by imitating its cry
13
: halt entry 4 sense 2, suspend
call a game on account of rain
call time
caller noun
call
2 of 2 noun1
: a loud cry : shout
2
a
: a cry of an animal
b
: an imitation of an animal's cry or a device used to make such an imitation
3
a
: summons entry 1 sense 1, invitation
b
: attraction sense 1
the call of the wild
4
a
: demand entry 1 sense 1a, claim
b
: request entry 1 sense 1
5
: a brief visit
6
: the act of calling on the telephone
7
: a ruling made by an official of a sports contest
8
: a temporary transfer of control of computer processing to a particular set of instructions
Legal Definition
call
1 of 2 transitive verb1
: to announce or recite loudly
called the civil trial list
2
: to admit (a person) as a barrister
was called to the bar
3
: to demand payment of especially by formal notice
call a loan
4
: to demand presentation of (as a bond or option) for redemption
Note: A security issuer may call a security only if calling it is previously provided for, as, for example, in the indenture for a bond or in the stock agreement for preferred stock. The issuer usually pays the holder a premium for a called security.
call
2 of 2 noun1
: a demand for payment of money: as
a
: a notice by the U.S. Treasury to depositories to transfer part of its deposit balance to the Federal Reserve bank
b
: a notice to a stockholder or subscriber to pay an assessment or an installment of subscription to capital
2
: call option at option 3
3
a
: a formal announcement or recitation
the daily call of the motion calendar
b
: roll call
the speaker ordered a call of the house
called
verb
1
as in shouted
to speak so as to be heard at a distance we could hear someone calling for help from the other side of the wall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shouted
- yelled
- cried
- hollered
- screamed
- vociferated
- bawled
- thundered
- holloed
- roared
- hallooed
- bellowed
- hailed
- shrieked
- sounded off
- screeched
- bayed
- squeaked
- whooped
- shrilled
- spoke out
- howled
- crowed
- spoke up
- caterwauled
- wailed
- squealed
- yauped
- yawped
- yowled
- ululated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- whispered
- muttered
- breathed
- murmured
- mumbled
2
as in dialed
to make a telephone call to use this cell phone to call me if there's an emergency Synonyms & Similar Words
- dialed
- phoned
- dialled
- telephoned
- beeped
- called in
- buzzed
- rang (up)
- cold-called
3
as in visited
to make a brief visit the hospital posts the hours during which friends and relatives may call Synonyms & Similar Words
- visited
- saw
- dropped in
- came by
- ran in
- dropped by
- stepped in
- came over
- popped (in)
- stopped (by or in)
- looked up
- ran (over)
- haunted
- frequented
- barged (in)
- hanged (at)
- happened (by)
- bopped (into)
- hung (at)
- resorted (to)
4
as in canceled
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the game was called on account of rain Synonyms & Similar Words
- canceled
- abandoned
- cancelled
- scrapped
- recalled
- aborted
- revoked
- repealed
- dropped
- rescinded
- called off
- scrubbed
- suspended
- withdrew
- stopped
- terminated
- ended
- halted
- reversed
- interrupted
- retracted
- cried off
- nullified
- invalidated
- discontinued
- annulled
- took back
- abrogated
- recanted
- wrote off
- countermanded
- voided
- relinquished
- rolled back
- held back
- broke off
- surrendered
- gave up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continued
- kept
- started
- began
- promised
- engaged
- initiated
- commenced
- pledged
- undertook
- took up
- took on
5
as in considered
to think of in a particular way I wouldn't quite call that cheating, but it's not entirely ethical either Synonyms & Similar Words
- considered
- regarded
- viewed
- believed
- counted
- thought
- accounted
- felt
- deemed
- held
- reckoned
- rated
- esteemed
- took for
- set down
- imagined
- sensed
- conceived
- looked (on or upon)
- fancied
6
as in cried
to utter one's distinctive animal sound the dog called whenever it flushed a quail Synonyms & Similar Words
- cried
- sang
- sung
7
as in summoned
to bring together in assembly by or as if by command called all the night workers in for a meeting Synonyms & Similar Words
- summoned
- mustered
- convened
- assembled
- convoked
- called up
- called out
- gathered
- called in
- rallied
- grouped
- collected
- reconvened
- reassembled
- amassed
- knelled
- rounded up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dissolved
- broke up
8
as in estimated
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement let's call that five feet for now, and we'll measure it out later Synonyms & Similar Words
- estimated
- figured
- supposed
- made
- guessed
- put
- calculated
- gauged
- reckoned
- judged
- placed
- conjectured
- concluded
- deduced
- understood
- inferred
- gathered
- extrapolated
- reasoned
- gaged
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- measured
- calibrated
- computed
- worked out
- scaled
9
as in asked
to demand or request the presence or service of rushed to call a tow truck operator when the car broke down Synonyms & Similar Words
- summoned
- asked
- hailed
- invited
- requested
- ordered
- sent for
- cited
- invoked
- convened
- called out
- called up
- beckoned
- demanded
- subpoenaed
- assembled
- rang
- convoked
- whistled
- requisitioned
- bade
- bid
- commanded
- mustered
- buzzed
- paged
- knelled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dismissed
- sent (away)
- turned away
- banished
- routed
- ejected
- kicked out
- expelled
- ousted
- threw out
- booted (out)
- outed
- drummed (out)
- cast out
- ran off
- turfed (out)
10
as in dubbed
to give a name to we've decided to call the kitten "Molly" Synonyms & Similar Words
- dubbed
- named
- termed
- labeled
- nicknamed
- titled
- labelled
- entitled
- designated
- nominated
- christened
- denominated
- styled
- baptized
- cleped
- renamed
- branded
- baptised
- denoted
- misnamed
- specified
- miscalled
- stigmatized
- rechristened
- tagged
- relabeled
- surnamed
- mistitled
- code-named
- relabelled
11
as in ordered
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the union president is refusing to call a strike Synonyms & Similar Words
- ordered
- requested
- asked
- demanded
- mandated
- directed
- dictated
- required
- decreed
- called for
- commanded
- ordained
- petitioned
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cancelled
- canceled
- rescinded
- countermanded
12
as in predicted
to tell of or describe beforehand somehow the political pundit called the race results within a mere percentage point Synonyms & Similar Words
- predicted
- read
- announced
- presaged
- prophesied
- anticipated
- foretold
- prognosticated
- warned
- forecast
- alerted
- vaticinated
- forecasted
- augured
- promised
- proclaimed
- cautioned
- forewarned
- declared
- portended
- foreboded
- foresaw
- heralded
- boded
- forboded
- divined
- foreknew
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- described
- told
- reported
- related
- recounted
- recited
- narrated
- neglecter
- neglecters
- neglectful
- neglectfully
- neglectfulness
- neglectfulnesses
- neglecting
- neglection
- neglections
- neglective
- neglectors
- neglects
- negligee
- negligees
- negligence
- negligences
- negligency
- negligent
- negligent escape
- negligently
- negliges
- negligibilities
- negligibility
- negligible
- negligiblenesses