1 [count] : an act of using the telephone : an act of calling someone on the telephone
▪ a phone/telephone call ▪ A local call costs less than a long-distance or an international call. ▪ If there are any calls for me during the meeting, say that I'll call back later. ▪ I got a call from my brother last night. ▪ incoming/outgoing calls ▪ “There's someone on the phone for you, sir.” “Tell them I can't take their call now [=I can't speak to them on the phone now] but I'll return their call [=I'll call them back] as soon as I can.” ▪ Give me a call when you get back from your trip. [=call me when you get back] — see also toll call, trunk call, wake-up call 2 [count] a : an act of calling with the voice : a loud cry or shout
▪ He gave a call to passersby for help.
b : the sound made by an animal or bird
▪ We heard a bird that had a very loud and unusual call.
c : an imitation of the sound made by a bird or animal
▪ He's an expert at doing bird calls.
d : a device that is used to imitate the sound made by a bird
▪ He has a large collection of duck calls.
e : a loud sound or signal made with a musical instrument
▪ a bugle call ▪ the call of a trumpet 3 a [count] : a public request or statement that asks or tells people to do something
▪ The government has issued a call to its supporters to defend it and hopes they will answer/heed its call. ▪ issue a call = put out a call ▪ The campaigners renewed their calls for reform. ▪ Their calls have gone unheeded. ▪ The political party has issued a call to action. — see also clarion call, curtain call, call to arms at ²arm
b : a request for something [count] ▪ We get many calls for Christmas stories. [noncount] ▪ There's not much call for ice cream at this time of year. [=not many people want ice cream at this time of year] ▪ There is very little call for his services during the summer.
c [noncount] : a reason for doing something — used in negative statements to criticize someone's behavior ▪ There was no call for your rudeness. = There was no call for you to behave so rudely. [=you were wrong to behave so rudely; your rudeness was uncalled-for] 4 [count] : a brief visit
▪ I made/paid a brief social call on an old friend. = I paid an old friend a brief social call. ▪ The ship made a call at Newport [=the ship stopped briefly at Newport] before proceeding to New Orleans. ▪ The doctor was on a call when her patient came to the office. — see also house call, port of call 5 [count] : something that is called or announced
▪ I flipped a coin, and the call was heads. ; especially : an announcement telling passengers to get on a plane, train, etc., that will be leaving soon
▪ This is the last call for Flight 139, now boarding at Gate 57. = This is the last call for passengers to board Flight 139 at Gate 57. — see also last call 6 [count] a : a decision made by an official in a sports contest
▪ The runner was called out at home plate, and the manager came out to argue about the call.
b chiefly US : a decision
▪ “Should we stay or go?” “I don't know. It's a tough call (to make).” ▪ I'll let you make the call. ▪ “How should we deal with this problem?” “I don't know: it's your call.” [=you can decide how we should deal with this problem] — see also close call, judgment call 7 [singular] : the appeal or attraction of something that makes a person want to go somewhere
▪ sailors who cannot resist the call of the open ocean ▪ He heard the call of the wild. [=he felt the desire to go out to wild places far away from most people] — see also call of nature 8 [count] : something that requires a person's attention or effort — + on ▪ There are many calls [=demands] on the time of a busy housewife. [=there are many things that a busy housewife must spend time doing]