1 call
/ˈkɑːl/
verb
calls;
called;
calling
1 call
/ˈkɑːl/
verb
calls;
called;
calling
Britannica Dictionary definition of CALL
1
a
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to speak in a loud voice
[no object]
-
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/across to them.
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[+ object]
-
He called her name in his sleep.
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— see also call out 1 (below)
b
[+ object]
:
to announce or read (something) in a loud voice
-
call the roll
-
call (off) a row of figures
-
They're calling [=announcing] our flight: it's boarding at gate 57.
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— see also call out 1 (below)
c
[no object]
of a bird or animal
:
to make the sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
-
The birds were calling as the sun rose.
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2
:
to make a telephone call
[no object]
-
I call once a week to talk to my parents.
-
Where are you calling from?
-
May I say who's calling?
-
Thank you for calling.
-
Please call back/again later.
-
She called long-distance.
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[+ object]
-
I try to call my parents at least once a week.
-
She called me long-distance.
-
I called the office to get some information.
-
Please call us back/again later.
-
Don't call us—we'll call you.
-
In an emergency you should call [=dial] 911.
-
Call me when you get back from your vacation.
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— see also call 3b (below), call in 1 (below), call up 1 (below)
3
[+ object]
a
:
to tell, order, or ask (someone or something) to come
-
I called the waiter over (to my table) and asked for the check, and then I called him back to order something else.
-
My dog comes running when he's called.
-
She was called to court to testify.
-
He was called to the office for an interview.
-
soldiers who have been called to active duty
-
He's not home because he was called away on business.
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b
:
to make a telephone call to tell, order, or ask (someone or something) to come
-
We had to call an ambulance.
-
He called a taxi but it still hasn't come.
-
He called a taxi for me. = He called me a taxi.
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— see also call 2 (above)
4
[+ object]
a
:
to give a name to (someone or something)
-
Her parents called [=named] her Katherine after/for her grandmother.
-
The immigrants settled along the river and called their new town “Brookhaven.”
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b
:
to talk to or refer to (someone or something) with a specified name
-
Her name is Katherine but her friends all call her “Kitty.”
-
This part of the city is called “The Old Town.”
-
It's important to call things by their right names.
-
Human beings belong to a large group of animals called “mammals.”
-
The other children called him (bad) names. [=the other children spoke to him with cruel and insulting words in place of his name]
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— see also name-calling
c
:
to regard or think of (someone or something) in a certain way
-
Some people say he's a good man, but I call him a fool. [=I consider him to be a fool]
-
She went out in the rain without an umbrella? I call that pretty foolish.
-
He's not what you would call a generous man. [=he's not a generous man]
-
Her sense of humor is what you might call subtle. [=she has a subtle sense of humor]
-
(You can) Call me foolish if you like, but I still think people are basically good.
-
It costs 99 cents: let's call it an even dollar for simplicity's sake.
-
You may not agree with him, but he calls them like he sees them! [=he states his opinion in an open, honest, and direct way]
-
You did me a favor and I did you a favor, so let's call it even.
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5
[+ object]
:
to give the order for (something, such as a meeting)
-
call [=convene] a meeting
-
call an election
-
The union has threatened to call a strike against the company.
-
The chairman called a halt to [=stopped] the discussion.
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6
[no object]
:
to make a brief visit
-
He called to pay his respects.
-
We're planning to call [=stop] at a friend's house on the way home.
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— see also call at (below), call for 2 (below), call in 2 (below), call on 5 (below)
7
[+ object]
:
to say or guess what the result of something will be
-
Nobody else thought the election would turn out as it did, but he called [=predicted] it exactly right!
-
You called it! [=you correctly said what would happen]
-
call the toss of a coin
-
We flipped a coin; he called heads, and heads it was!
-
The election is still too close to call. [=the election is too close to say who will win]
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8
[+ object]
sports
a
:
to stop or cancel (something, such as a baseball game) because of bad conditions
-
The game was called on account of rain.
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b
:
to make an official ruling or decision about (something, such as a pitched ball or a player's action)
-
Only the umpire has the right to call balls and strikes.
-
The pitch was called a strike. [=the umpire said that the pitch was a strike]
-
The umpire called the runner safe/out.
-
call a serve in/out
-
She was called for being offside. [=the official said that she was offside]
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c
American football
:
to say or decide what kind of play will be used
-
The quarterback called a running play.
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9
poker
:
to require (a player) to show a hand by making an equal bet
[+ object]
-
I call you.
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[no object]
-
I call.
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call a spade a spade
— see spade
call at
[phrasal verb]
call at (a place)
of a boat or ship
:
to stop at (a place) briefly
-
The ship called at the port.
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call down
[phrasal verb]
call down (something)
or
call (something) down
literary
:
to pray or ask God to do something to someone
-
He called down a blessing/curse on the king. [=he prayed that the king would be blessed/cursed]
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call for
[phrasal verb]
1
call for (something)
a
:
to say or demand publicly that something is needed or should be done
-
The opposition has called for an investigation.
-
The government has called for [=asked for] calm and restraint.
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b
:
to indicate that something is needed or should be done
-
The plan calls for three windows to be added.
-
You've won! That calls for a celebration! [=we should celebrate because you've won]
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c
:
to require or demand (something) as necessary or proper
-
The job calls for typing skills. [=you must have typing skills to do the job]
-
Action is urgently called for [=needed] in order to avert catastrophe!
-
These new problems call for [=require] further investigation.
-
His rude behavior was not called for. [=his behavior was uncalled-for/inappropriate]
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2
call for (someone or something)
:
to go to a place to get (someone or something)
-
I'll call for you (at your house) after dinner.
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call forth
[phrasal verb]
call forth (something)
or
call (something) forth
:
to bring (a memory, image, etc.) into the mind
-
These events call forth [=elicit, evoke] strong feelings.
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call in
[phrasal verb]
1
a
:
to make a telephone call to a place (such as the place where you work)
-
She called in sick yesterday. [=she telephoned the place where she works to say that she was sick and would not be coming to work]
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b
:
to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
-
Thousands of people called in to make a donation.
-
Many people have called in (to the show) with questions about the new law.
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— see also call-in
c
call (something) in
or
call in (something)
:
to deliver (something, such as a message) by making a telephone call
-
He called in an order for pizza.
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2
:
to go in somewhere to make a visit
— often + on
-
I called in on an old friend [=I visited an old friend] while I was in New York on business.
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3
call (something) in
or
call in (something)
a
:
to say that something that has been given or sent should be returned
-
The manufacturer has called in all its defective products.
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b
:
to demand payment of (a loan)
-
The bank has called in the loan.
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4
call (someone) in
or
call in (someone)
:
to ask for the help or services of (someone)
-
They may have to call in a mediator to settle the strike.
-
Rescue workers have been called in to help search for survivors.
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call into action
— see action
call into question
also US
call into doubt
:
to make people doubt something
-
His report calls into question the earlier reports we had. [=his report makes us feel not certain that the earlier reports were true]
-
This news calls her loyalty into question. [=makes people doubt that she is loyal]
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call it a day/night
:
to stop an activity (such as work) for the remainder of the day or night
-
We've done enough work for now: let's call it a day.
-
It's getting late. I think we should call it a night.
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call it quits
— see quits
call off
[phrasal verb]
1
call off (something)
or
call (something) off
:
to stop doing or planning to do (something)
-
We had to call off [=cancel] our trip.
-
The police have decided to call the investigation off. [=to stop the investigation]
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2
call off (someone or something)
or
call (someone or something) off
:
to cause or tell (a person or animal) to stop attacking, chasing, etc.
-
The dog was barking and growling at me until its owner called it off.
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call on/upon
[phrasal verb]
1
call on/upon (someone or something)
:
to ask (someone or something) to do something
:
to say that someone or something should do something
— followed by to + verb
-
The opposition has called on/upon the governor to resign. [=the opposition has said that the governor should resign]
-
You may be called upon to do several jobs.
-
Universities are called upon to produce trained professionals. [=it is the job of universities to produce trained professionals]
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2
call on/upon (someone)
:
to ask for help from (someone)
-
Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
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3
call on/upon (something)
:
to use (something, such as a talent or skill)
-
She had to call on/upon all her reserves of strength and skill to meet the challenge.
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4
call on (someone)
:
to ask for a response from (someone, such as a student)
-
I was hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me, because I didn't know the answer.
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5
call on (someone)
:
to make a brief visit to (someone)
-
I'm planning to call on an old friend after I leave here.
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6
call (someone) on (something)
US, informal
:
to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
-
He's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls him on it. [=no one ever tells him that he should stop being so rude]
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call out
[phrasal verb]
1
call out
or
call (something) out
or
call out (something)
:
to speak in a loud voice
-
He called out to passersby for help.
-
He called out in his sleep.
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:
to say (something) in a loud voice
-
He called out her name in his sleep.
-
He called out a cry for help.
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:
to announce or read (something) in a loud voice
-
call out a number
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2
call out (someone)
or
call (someone) out
a
:
to order or tell (a group of people, such as soldiers) to come or go somewhere
-
The governor has called out troops to help control the riot.
-
Emergency workers were called out to help with efforts to control the flood.
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b
:
to order or tell (workers) to go on strike
-
Factory workers are expected to be called out on strike if a new contract isn't signed by tomorrow.
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call (someone) on the carpet
— see 1carpet
call (something) to order
— see 1order
call the shots
— see 1shot
call the tune
— see 1tune
call time
— see 1time
call to account
— see 1account
call to mind
— see 1mind
call up
[phrasal verb]
1
call (someone) up
or
call up (someone)
chiefly US
:
to make a telephone call to (someone)
-
I haven't spoken to her in years, but I called her up last night and we talked for hours.
-
Call me up when you get back from your vacation.
-
I called up my doctor and made an appointment.
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2
call (something) up
or
call up (something)
a
:
to bring (something, such as a memory) into the mind
-
The sound of the ocean called up [=brought back] memories of my childhood.
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b
:
to bring (strength, courage, etc.) from within yourself
-
He will have to call up all his reserves of strength to meet this challenge.
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c
:
to get (something) from the memory of a computer and show it on the screen
-
call up an old document for revision
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3
call (someone) up
or
call up (someone)
a
:
to order or tell (someone) to come or appear
-
The prisoner was called up before a magistrate.
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b
:
to bring (an athlete) to a higher league
-
a minor-league player who is being called up to the major leagues
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c
:
to order (soldiers) to come for active military duty
-
call up the reserves
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— see also call-up
call your bluff
— see 2bluff
2 call
/ˈkɑːl/
noun
plural
calls
2 call
/ˈkɑːl/
noun
plural
calls
Britannica Dictionary definition of CALL
1
[count]
:
an act of using the telephone
:
an act of calling someone on the telephone
-
a phone/telephone call
-
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.
-
incoming/outgoing calls
-
“There's someone on the phone for you, sir.” “Tell them I can't take their call now [=I can't speak to them on the phone now] but I'll return their call [=I'll call them back] as soon as I can.”
-
Give me a call when you get back from your trip. [=call me when you get back]
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— see also toll call, trunk call, wake-up call
2
[count]
a
:
an act of calling with the voice
:
a loud cry or shout
-
He gave a call to passersby for help.
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b
:
the sound made by an animal or bird
-
We heard a bird that had a very loud and unusual call.
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c
:
an imitation of the sound made by a bird or animal
-
He's an expert at doing bird calls.
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d
:
a device that is used to imitate the sound made by a bird
-
He has a large collection of duck calls.
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e
:
a loud sound or signal made with a musical instrument
-
a bugle call
-
the call of a trumpet
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3
a
[count]
:
a public request or statement that asks or tells people to do something
-
The government has issued a call to its supporters to defend it and hopes they will answer/heed its call.
-
issue a call = put out a call
-
The campaigners renewed their calls for reform.
-
Their calls have gone unheeded.
-
The political party has issued a call to action.
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— see also clarion call, curtain call, call to arms at 2arm
b
:
a request for something
[count]
-
We get many calls for Christmas stories.
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[noncount]
-
There's not much call for ice cream at this time of year. [=not many people want ice cream at this time of year]
-
There is very little call for his services during the summer.
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c
[noncount]
:
a reason for doing something
— used in negative statements to criticize someone's behavior
-
There was no call for your rudeness. = There was no call for you to behave so rudely. [=you were wrong to behave so rudely; your rudeness was uncalled-for]
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4
[count]
:
a brief visit
-
I made/paid a brief social call on an old friend. = I paid an old friend a brief social call.
-
The ship made a call at Newport [=the ship stopped briefly at Newport] before proceeding to New Orleans.
-
The doctor was on a call when her patient came to the office.
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— see also house call, port of call
5
[count]
:
something that is called or announced
-
I flipped a coin, and the call was heads.
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especially
:
an announcement telling passengers to get on a plane, train, etc., that will be leaving soon
-
This is the last call for Flight 139, now boarding at Gate 57. = This is the last call for passengers to board Flight 139 at Gate 57.
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— see also last call
6
[count]
a
:
a decision made by an official in a sports contest
-
The runner was called out at home plate, and the manager came out to argue about the call.
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b
chiefly US
:
a decision
-
“Should we stay or go?” “I don't know. It's a tough call (to make).”
-
I'll let you make the call.
-
“How should we deal with this problem?” “I don't know: it's your call.” [=you can decide how we should deal with this problem]
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— see also close call, judgment call
7
[singular]
:
the appeal or attraction of something that makes a person want to go somewhere
-
sailors who cannot resist the call of the open ocean
-
He heard the call of the wild. [=he felt the desire to go out to wild places far away from most people]
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— see also call of nature
8
[count]
:
something that requires a person's attention or effort
— + on
-
There are many calls [=demands] on the time of a busy housewife. [=there are many things that a busy housewife must spend time doing]
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at someone's beck and call
— see 1beck
on call
:
available to be called when needed
:
ready to come when needed
-
a doctor who is on call throughout the day
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