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to give someone or something a name, or to know or address someone by a particular name:
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!
Tom's worried that if he wears glasses at school the other children will call him names.
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to use a phone to talk to someone:
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?
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to consider someone or something to be:
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.
I don't aspire to anything very grand - I just want a place I can call my own.
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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:
Someone in the crowd called (out) his name.
Did you call?
[ + speech ] "Hey, you! Come over here!" she called.
The blackbird called to its mate.
She called for order/called the meeting to order.
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to ask someone to come to you:
She called me over to where she was sitting.
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.
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to visit someone, especially for a short time:
The electrician must have called (round) this morning when we were out - there's a note on the door mat.
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to decide officially to have a particular event or take particular action:
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.
They had to call a halt to (= end) the match because of the heavy rain.
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the act of using the phone:
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?
I've just got a couple of calls to make.
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.
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the sound an animal makes or the sound of someone shouting something:
The whale has a very distinctive call.
She could hear calls for help from inside the burning building.
I'll be in the next room, so give me a call if you need any help.
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the fact of people wanting or needing a particular thing:
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!
Management have so far ignored the union's calls for stricter safety regulations.
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a short visit, especially an official one made by someone whose job is connected with health:
Doctor Seward is out on a call this morning.
The nurse has got a few calls to make this afternoon.
old-fashioned I thought I'd pay a call on (= visit) an old friend of mine this weekend.
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a decision:
It was a tough call, but eventually I decided to give up my job.
The decision to extend Army tours from one year to 15 months was a good call.
More investment? That's got to be your call - you're the one that's paying!
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to give someone or something a name, or to know or address someone by a particular name:
They can’t decide whether to call their new baby Carol or Alice.
His name is Anthony, but everyone calls him Tony.
Politicians waste a lot of time calling each other names and criticizing each other.
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to telephone someone:
[ I ] I called last night and left a message.
[ T ] Jenny called me and invited us over for the weekend.
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to say something in a loud voice, esp. in order to get someone’s attention:
[ T ] “Answer ‘Here!’ when I call your name,” the teacher said.
The teacher calls the roll at the beginning of each day.
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to ask someone to come to you:
[ 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?
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to consider someone or something to be something:
I wouldn’t call him a friend – he’s just someone I met.
The umpire called him safe on a close play.
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to ask for or demand something, or to decide officially to have a particular event:
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a visit that someone makes, esp. as part of a job:
The locksmith is out on a call right now.
Dr. Menendez is on call for the next 24 hours.
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a decision:
I really don’t know what to do – it’s your call.
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a reason or cause:
[ U ] There’s no call for you to get so angry – I was just kidding.
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a loud sound made by a person or animal:
Where we camp, near the river, you can hear the call of the wolf almost every night.
Students tried to imitate the calls of their favorite birds.
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to phone someone:
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.
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to make a phone call that is paid for by the person who receives it:
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to ask or demand that a particular action should be taken or that a particular event should happen:
call an election/meeting/strike An emergency meeting of the board was called for the next day.
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to ask people in a meeting or law court to be quiet so that the meeting or legal action can continue:
The senator called the Judiciary Committee meeting to order.
A deputy called for order in the courtroom.
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to say officially that borrowed money must be paid back:
call (in) a debt/loan The contract gives the lender the right to call a loan if the borrower sells the property.
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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):
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to ask someone to come to a place:
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.
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to visit a person or place for a short time:
A salesman called at my home.
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to say that a particular event or action will happen in the future:
He claims to have called the downturn in the economy nearly four years ago.
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to make someone say what they know about a situation, in a court of law or to a government official or group:
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an act of communicating with someone by phone:
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.
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a short visit, especially one for a particular or official purpose:
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.
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a demand for something to happen:
a call for sth Yesterday there were renewed calls for a change in the law.
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a situation in which people or businesses want or need a particular thing:
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.
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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:
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a demand for money that is owed to be paid back:
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call option
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used to describe a loan that must be paid back immediately upon the request of the financial organization lending the money:
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available to work when needed:
He is on call round-the-clock two weeks each month.