26984 words

calls

56 definitions • 105 examples
1
to give someone or something a name, or to know or address someone by a particular name:

Examples:

They've called the twins Edward and Thomas.
What's that actor called that we saw in the film last night?
His real name is Jonathan, but they've always called him Johnny.
What's her new novel called?
I wish he wouldn't keep calling me "dear" - it's so patronizing!
2
If a person, especially a child, calls someone names, they address that person with a name that is intended to be offensive:

Examples:

Tom's worried that if he wears glasses at school the other children will call him names.
3
to use a phone to talk to someone:

Examples:

He called (you) last night when you were out.
She called (me) this morning at the office and we had a brief chat.
I've been calling all morning but I can't get through.
Do you think we should call the police?
4
to make a phone call that is paid for by the person who receives it:

Examples:

She got his phone number from another inmate and called collect.
5
to consider someone or something to be:

Examples:

He knows a lot of people, but only one or two that he'd call close friends.
One sandwich and a lettuce leaf - I don't call that a meal!
I'm not calling you a liar - I'm just suggesting that you misunderstood the facts of the situation.
6
to consider something as belonging to you:

Examples:

I don't aspire to anything very grand - I just want a place I can call my own.
7
to say something in a loud voice, especially in order to attract someone's attention, or (of animals) to make a loud, high sound, especially to another animal:

Examples:

Did you call?
Do I hear someone calling for you?
[ + speech ] "Hey, you! Come over here!" she called.
The blackbird called to its mate.
8
to ask people in a meeting to stop talking so that the meeting can continue:

Examples:

She called for order/called the meeting to order.
9
in some sports, to say what the next play will be:

Examples:

The coach calls the plays from the sideline.
The catcher calls pitches by signalling with his fingers.
The setter usually calls the serve receive ball with a signal, then makes other calls verbally.
10

Examples:

He called the game for ABC.
Vin Scully called Dodgers games for 67 years, on both radio and TV.
11
to ask someone to come to you:

Examples:

I keep the bedroom door open in case the children call for me in the night.
I was called to an emergency meeting this morning.
At school she was always being called into the headteacher's office.
12
to visit someone, especially for a short time:

Examples:

The electrician must have called round this morning when we were out - there's a note on the door mat.
13

Examples:

The managing director has called a meeting to discuss pay levels.
The papers are predicting that the prime minister will call an election in the spring.
It's reckoned that the unions will call a strike if management will not agree to their demands.
14
If a sports official calls something, they make a decision about an action by a player or about a shot (= a kick, hit, or throw of the ball):

Examples:

[ + obj + adv ] The line judge called the ball out.
The umpire called the delivery a wide.
Baseball umpires call balls and strikes.
15
the act of using the phone:

Examples:

give someone a call Give me a call when you get back from your holiday.
make a call I've just got a couple of calls to make.
get a call I got a call from an old college friend last night.
If there are any calls for me, could you write them down next to the phone?
return someone's call That decorator you called about painting the house - did he ever return your call?
The radio station received a lot of calls complaining about the show's bad language.
Before six o'clock, calls are charged at peak rate.
16
the sound an animal makes or the sound of someone shouting something:

Examples:

give someone a call I'll be in the next room, so give me a call if you need any help.
The whale has a very distinctive call.
call for help She could hear calls for help from inside the burning building.
17
the fact of people wanting or needing a particular thing:

Examples:

There's not much call for fur coats these days.
formal I certainly don't think there's any call for that sort of language, young lady!
18
a demand for something to happen:

Examples:

Management have so far ignored the union's calls for stricter safety regulations.
19
a short visit, especially an official one made by someone whose job is connected with health:

Examples:

on a call Doctor Seward is out on a call this morning.
pay a call on old-fashioned I thought I'd pay a call on (= visit) an old friend of mine this weekend.
make a call The nurse has got a few calls to make this afternoon.
20

Examples:

make a call We can't let this situation continue for much longer - someone is going to have to make a call about what happens next.
good call The decision to extend Army tours from one year to 15 months was a good call.
tough call It was a tough call, but eventually I decided to give up my job.
More investment? That's got to be your call - you're the one that's paying!
21
a decision by a sports official about an action by a player or a shot (= a throw, hit, or kick of the ball):

Examples:

At the start of the second set, he challenged a questionable line call.
The ref made a number of controversial calls.
22
to give someone or something a name, or to know or address someone by a particular name:

Examples:

They can’t decide whether to call their new baby Carol or Alice.
His name is Anthony, but everyone calls him Tony.
23
To call someone names is to use rude or insulting words to describe someone:

Examples:

Politicians waste a lot of time calling each other names and criticizing each other.
24
to telephone someone:

Examples:

[ I ] I called last night and left a message.
[ T ] Jenny called me and invited us over for the weekend.
25
If you call someone collect, you telephone someone who agrees to pay for the cost of talking to you
26
to say something in a loud voice, esp. in order to get someone’s attention:

Examples:

[ T ] “Answer ‘Here!’ when I call your name,” the teacher said.
27
If you call the roll you read aloud the names of all the people on a list to make certain that each person is present:

Examples:

The teacher calls the roll at the beginning of each day.
28
to ask someone to come to you:

Examples:

[ I ] I ran to Jonathan as soon as I heard him call.
[ T ] You’d better call an ambulance.
[ M ] Susan, would you call in the next patient, please?
29
to consider someone or something to be something:

Examples:

I wouldn’t call him a friend – he’s just someone I met.
The umpire called him safe on a close play.
30
to ask for or demand something, or to decide officially to have a particular event:

Examples:

31
a visit that someone makes, esp. as part of a job:

Examples:

The locksmith is out on a call right now.
32
People who work in medicine and other important activities are said to be on call when they are available to make visits or to speak to someone on the telephone at any time:

Examples:

Dr. Menendez is on call for the next 24 hours.
33

Examples:

I really don’t know what to do – it’s your call.
34
a reason or cause:

Examples:

[ U ] There’s no call for you to get so angry – I was just kidding.
35
a loud sound made by a person or animal:

Examples:

Where we camp, near the river, you can hear the call of the wolf almost every night.
36
the characteristic cry of a bird:

Examples:

Students tried to imitate the calls of their favorite birds.
37
to phone someone:

Examples:

I'll tell Mr Baker you called. Would you like me to pass on any message?
Please call us as soon as possible so that we can resolve this issue.
38
to make a phone call that is paid for by the person who receives it:

Examples:

To call collect from overseas, you need to reach an international operator.
39
to ask or demand that a particular action should be taken or that a particular event should happen:

Examples:

call an election/meeting/strike An emergency meeting of the board was called for the next day.
40
to ask people in a meeting or law court to be quiet so that the meeting or legal action can continue:

Examples:

The senator called the Judiciary Committee meeting to order.
A deputy called for order in the courtroom.
41
to say officially that borrowed money must be paid back:

Examples:

call (in) a debt/loan The contract gives the lender the right to call a loan if the borrower sells the property.
42
to pay back money to a person or organization holding a bond before the date when the bond matures (= when it would normally be paid back):

Examples:

When interest rates plunge, a company may decide to call a bond.
43
to ask someone to come to a place:

Examples:

call sb in/into/over He was called into a manager's office and told that, after 26 years of service, he was no longer needed.
She called me over and asked if I was interested in applying for the job.
44
to visit a person or place for a short time:

Examples:

A salesman called at my home.
45
to say that a particular event or action will happen in the future:

Examples:

He claims to have called the downturn in the economy nearly four years ago.
46
to make someone say what they know about a situation, in a court of law or to a government official or group:

Examples:

The committee can call witnesses and compel them to answer questions.
47
an act of communicating with someone by phone:

Examples:

a phone/telephone call I'm expecting a phone call from him this morning.
a local/international/long-distance call The company is dropping international call charges to over 20 countries.
make/place a call We're not allowed to make private calls at work.
get/receive/take a call Thank you for taking my call.
return sb's call He was busy when I contacted him and he didn't return my calls.
48

Examples:

a customer/sales call
pay a call on sb While I was in the area, I took the opportunity of paying a call on one of my clients.
49
a demand for something to happen:

Examples:

a call for sth Yesterday there were renewed calls for a change in the law.
50
a situation in which people or businesses want or need a particular thing:

Examples:

a call for/on sth Energy efficiency and conservation could lead to a reduced call for exports.
no call for sth There is no call for such luxuries in the present economic climate.
He was finding that there were a numbers of calls on his time in his new role.
51
a demand made by a company to shareholders for payment of money they owe for shares for which they have paid only part of the price:

Examples:

Shareholders received notice of a call of 40 cents per share on all partly paid-up shares.
52
a demand for money that is owed to be paid back:

Examples:

Your loan may contain a call provision if you fall behind on your payments.
53
call option
54
used to describe a loan that must be paid back immediately upon the request of the financial organization lending the money:

Examples:

Many banks have money market loans at call with discount houses.
55
used to describe a bank account from which you can take money out when you ask for it:

Examples:

All our accounts are at-call accounts that require no minimum deposit or balance.
56
available to work when needed:

Examples:

He is on call round-the-clock two weeks each month.

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