call

verb

\ ˈkȯl

Definition of call

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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 get or try to get into communication by telephone just called to say hello —often used with up

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

1a(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 get or try to get in communication with by telephone call the doctor to make an appointment

(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

2a : 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 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?

call for

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

call forth

: elicit, evoke these events call forth great emotions

call in question or call into question

: to cast doubt upon a report calling into question the drug's effectiveness

call it a day

: 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

call it quits

: to call it a day : quit

call names

: to address or speak of a person or thing contemptuously or offensively

call on

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

call one's bluff

: 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

call the shots

: to be in charge or control : determine the policy or procedure The secretary called the shots all through the meeting.

call the tune

: to call the shots

call time

: to ask for or grant a time-out

call to account

: to hold responsible : reprimand He was called to account by his boss for making the error.

call upon

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

call

noun

Definition of call (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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)

2a : 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

call

Definition of call

WORD OF THE DAY