call meaning and definition

CALL noun

Definition of call (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"
   • synonyms: phone call, telephone call
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"
3. a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
   • "the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience"
   • synonyms: cry, outcry, shout, vociferation, yell
4. a demand especially in the phras
   • "the call of duty"
   • synonyms: claim
5. the characteristic sound produced by a bird
   • "a bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age"
   • synonyms: birdcall, birdsong, song
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"
7. a demand by a broker that a customer deposit enough to bring his margin up to the minimum requirement
   • synonyms: margin call
8. a demand for a show of hands in a card game
   • "after two raises there was a call"
9. a request
   • "many calls for Christmas stories"; "not many calls for buggywhips"
10. an instruction that interrupts the program being executed
    • "Pascal performs calls by simply giving the name of the routine to be executed"
11. a visit in an official or professional capacity
    • "the pastor's calls on his parishioners"; "the salesman's call on a customer"
12. (sports) the decision made by an umpire or referee
    • "he was ejected for protesting the call"
13. the option to buy a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
    • synonyms: call option
    • antonym: put

CALL verb

Definition of call (verb)

1. assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
   • "They named their son David"; "The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader"
   • synonyms: name
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"
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"
   • synonyms: call up, phone, ring, telephone
4. utter a sudden loud cry
   • "she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle"; "I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me"
   • synonyms: cry, holler, hollo, scream, shout, shout out, squall, yell
5. order, request, or command to come
   • "She was called into the director's office"; "Call the police!"
   • synonyms: send for
6. pay a brief visit
   • "The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens"
   • synonyms: call in, visit
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"
8. read aloud to check for omissions or absentees
   • "Call roll"
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"
10. utter a characteristic note or cry
    • "bluejays called to one another"
11. stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather
    • "call a football game"
12. greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
    • "He always addresses me with `Sir'"; "Call me Mister"; "She calls him by first name"
    • synonyms: address
13. make a stop in a harbour
    • "The ship will call in Honolulu tomorrow"
14. demand payment of (a loan)
    • "Call a loan"
    • synonyms: call in
15. make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
    • "He called his trump"
    • synonyms: bid
16. give the calls (to the dancers) for a square dance
    • synonyms: call off
17. indicate a decision in regard to
    • "call balls and strikes behind the plate"
18. make a prediction about; tell in advance
    • "Call the outcome of an election"
    • synonyms: anticipate, forebode, foretell, predict, prognosticate, promise
19. require the presentation of for redemption before maturation
    • "Call a bond"
20. challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offense
    • "He deserves to be called on that"
21. declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee
    • "call a runner out"
22. lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal
    • "Call ducks"
23. order or request or give a command for
    • "The unions called a general strike for Sunday"
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"
25. utter in a loud voice or announce
    • "He called my name"; "The auctioneer called the bids"
26. challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of
    • "call the speaker on a question of fact"
27. consider or regard as being
    • "I would not call her beautiful"
28. rouse somebody from sleep with a call
    • "I was called at 5 A.M. this morning"