call

(noun, verb)

noun

1. a telephone connection

- she reported several anonymous calls

- he placed a phone call to London

- he heard the phone ringing but didn't want to take the call

Definition categories: communication, telephone, telephony

2. a special disposition (as if from a divine source) to pursue a particular course

- he was disappointed that he had not heard the Call

Definition categories: thought, disposition, inclination, tendency

3. a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

Similar word(s): cry, outcry, shout, vociferation, yell

Definition categories: communication, utterance, vocalization

4. a demand especially in the phrase

- the call of duty

Similar word(s): claim

Definition categories: communication, demand

5. the characteristic sound produced by a bird

Similar word(s): birdcall, birdsong, song

Definition categories: communication

6. a brief social visit

- senior professors' wives no longer make afternoon calls on newcomers

- the characters in Henry James' novels are forever paying calls on each other, usually in the parlor of some residence

Definition categories: act, visit

7. a demand by a broker that a customer deposit enough to bring his margin up to the minimum requirement

Definition categories: communication, demand

8. a demand for a show of hands in a card game

- after two raises there was a call

Definition categories: communication, demand

9. a request

- many calls for Christmas stories

- not many calls for buggywhips

Definition categories: communication, asking, request

10. an instruction that interrupts the program being executed

- Pascal performs calls by simply giving the name of the routine to be executed

Definition categories: communication, command, instruction, statement

11. a visit in an official or professional capacity

- the pastor's calls on his parishioners

- the salesman's call on a customer

Definition categories: act, visit

12. (sports) the decision made by an umpire or referee

- he was ejected for protesting the call

Definition categories: act, conclusion, decision, determination

13. the option to buy a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date

Definition categories: act, option

Sentences with call as a noun:

- I received several phone calls today.

- I received several calls today.

- I paid a call to a dear friend of mine.

- He heard a call from the other side of the room.

- That was a good call.

- That sound is the distinctive call of the cuckoo bird.

- I had to yield to the call of the wild.

- There was a 20 dollar bet on the table, and my call was 9.

verb

1. assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

Similar word(s): name

Definition categories: communication, label

2. ascribe a quality to or give a name of a common noun that reflects a quality

- He called me a bastard

- She called her children lazy and ungrateful

Definition categories: communication, label

3. get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone

- I tried to call you all night

- Take two aspirin and call me in the morning

Similar word(s): phone, ring, telephone

Definition categories: communication, telecommunicate

4. utter a sudden loud cry

Similar word(s): cry, holler, hollo, scream, shout, squall, yell

Definition categories: communication, emit, utter

5. order, request, or command to come

- She was called into the director's office

- Call the police!

Definition categories: communication, enjoin, order, say, tell

6. pay a brief visit

- The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens

Similar word(s): visit

Definition categories: social, meet

7. call a meeting; invite or command to meet

- The Wannsee Conference was called to discuss the `Final Solution'

- The new dean calls meetings every week

Definition categories: social, bespeak, quest, request

8. read aloud to check for omissions or absentees

- Call roll

Definition categories: communication, read

9. send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc.; make a signal to in order to transmit a message

- Hawaii is calling!

- A transmitter in Samoa was heard calling

Definition categories: communication, telecommunicate

10. utter a characteristic note or cry

- bluejays called to one another

Definition categories: communication, emit, utter

11. stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather

- call a football game

Definition categories: stative, defer, postpone, prorogue, remit, shelve, table

12. greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name

- Call me Mister

- She calls him by first name

Similar word(s): address

Definition categories: social, address

13. make a stop in a harbour

- The ship will call in Honolulu tomorrow

Definition categories: social, stop

14. demand payment of (a loan)

- Call a loan

Definition categories: possession, demand, exact

15. make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands

- He called his trump

Similar word(s): bid

Definition categories: possession, play

16. give the calls (to the dancers) for a square dance

Definition categories: motion

17. indicate a decision in regard to

- call balls and strikes behind the plate

Definition categories: communication, indicate

18. make a prediction about; tell in advance

- Call the outcome of an election

Similar word(s): anticipate, forebode, foretell, predict, prognosticate, promise

Definition categories: communication, guess, hazard, pretend, venture

19. require the presentation of for redemption before maturation

- Call a bond

Definition categories: communication, ask, expect, require

20. challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offense

- He deserves to be called on that

Definition categories: communication, challenge, dispute, gainsay

21. declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee

- call a runner out

Definition categories: communication, adjudge, declare, hold

22. lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal

- Call ducks

Definition categories: communication, entice, lure, tempt

23. order or request or give a command for

- The unions called a general strike for Sunday

Definition categories: communication, order

24. order, summon, or request for a specific duty or activity, work, role

- He was already called 4 times for jury duty

- They called him to active military duty

Definition categories: communication, request

25. utter in a loud voice or announce

- He called my name

- The auctioneer called the bids

Definition categories: cognition, emit, utter

26. challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of

- call the speaker on a question of fact

Definition categories: cognition, challenge, dispute, gainsay

27. consider or regard as being

- I would not call her beautiful

Definition categories: cognition, consider, reckon, regard, see, view

28. rouse somebody from sleep with a call

- I was called at 5 A.M. this morning

Definition categories: body, arouse, awaken, rouse, wake, waken

Sentences with call as a verb:

- That person is hurt; call for help!

- to call the roll of a military company

- Why don't you call me in the morning?  Why don't you call tomorrow?

- The captains call the coin toss.

- We could always call on a friend.  The engineer called round whilst you were away.

- This train calls at Reading, Slough and London Paddington.  Our cruise ship called at Bristol Harbour.

- Why don't we dispense with the formalities. Please call me Al.

- I'm called John.  A very tall building is called a skyscraper.

- He called twelve of the last three recessions.

- They call the distance ten miles.  That's enough work. Let's call it a day and go home.

- My partner called two spades.

- He felt called to help the old man.

- A recursive function is one that calls itself.