From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcallcall1 /kɔːl $ kɒːl/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 telephoneTELEPHONE [intransitive, transitive] to telephone someone She calls her father every couple of days. I’ll call you soon. What time did Tony call?call a doctor/the police/a cab etc (=telephone someone and ask them to come to you) I think we should call a doctor. I’m gonna call the cops!► see thesaurus at phoneGrammar• You call someone on the phone: Call me tomorrow. ✗Don’t say: Call to me tomorrow.• If you call to someone, you shout at them to get their attention: He called to the driver to stop. 2 describeCALL/DESCRIBE AS [transitive] to use a word or name to describe someone or something in a particular waycall somebody something Are you calling me a liar? You may call it harmless fun, but I call it pornography.call somebody names (=use insulting names for someone) The other kids used to call me names, but I tried to ignore them.3 have a name [transitive]NAME OF A PERSON to have a particular name or title, or use a particular name or title for someone or somethingbe called something Our son is called Matthew. The arrow that appears on the screen is called a cursor.call somebody something My name’s Virginia, but my friends call me Ginny. Do you want to be called Miss or Ms?call somebody by something I prefer to be called by my middle name.4 give somebody/something a nameNAME OF A PERSONNAME OF A THING [transitive] especially British English to give someone or something the name they will be known by in the future SYN name American English What are you going to call the new puppy?call somebody something They’ve decided to call the baby Louise.5 ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO somethingask/order by speaking [transitive] to ask or order someone to come to youcall somebody into/over/across etc Peter called the waitress over and ordered a large brandy. Marcie was called up to the principal’s office. 6 arrangeARRANGE A MEETING, EVENT ETC [transitive] to arrange for something to happen at a particular timecall a meeting/strike/election etc The Security Council has called an emergency session to discuss the crisis. According to the law, the election must be called within the next two months.7 say/shout [intransitive, transitive]SAY/STATE to say or shout something loudly so that someone can hear you I heard someone calling in the distance. ‘I’m coming!’ she called down the stairs. Sheila was just sneaking out when her mother called her. She heard him call her name.call to The foreman called to the workmen.8 → call yourself something9 → call the shots/tune10 → call it a day11 → call collect12 read names [transitive] (also call out)SHOUT to read names or numbers in a loud voice in order to get someone’s attention When I call your name, go and stand in line.13 court [transitive]TELL to tell someone that they must answer questions in a law court or in front of an official committee The prosecution called its next witness.call somebody to do something They were called to give evidence at the trial.Grammar Call is often passive in this meaning.14 → call (something) into question15 → be/feel called to do something16 → call somebody/something to order17 visit [intransitive] (also call round British English)VISIT to stop at a house or other place for a short time to see someone or do something She called round for a chat.call on somebody Let’s call on James on the way home.call (in) at something I regularly called in at his office for news.call into something People often call into the library while they’re out shopping. 18 → call it £10/two hours etc19 → call it a draw20 → call it/things even21 → call (somebody’s) attention to22 → call something to mind23 → call a huddle24 → call time (on somebody/something)25 trains/shipsTRAINS [intransitive]TTT if a train, ship, bus etc calls at a place, it stops there for a short time SYN stop This train calls at all stations to Broxbourne.26 coinGAMES/SPORTS [intransitive, transitive]DS to guess which side of a coin will land upwards when it is thrown in the air, in order to decide who will play first in a game It’s your turn to call.27 card game [intransitive, transitive] to risk the same amount of money as the player who plays before you in a poker game → so-called, → call somebody’s bluff at bluff2(2), → too close to call at close2(8)COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: to telephone someonecall for + NOUNcall for an end to somethingDemonstrators have called for an end to the fighting.call for somebody’s resignationOpposition parties called for the president’s resignation.call for actionThe European Parliament have called for action on age discrimination.call for a banFrench farmers have called for a ban on imports.call for a boycottIn 1980 he called for a boycott of the Olympic Games.call for a changeScientists are calling for a change in the law.call for an inquiry/investigationRelatives have called for an inquiry into the causes of the plane crash.call for a return to somethingThe prime minister called for a return to traditional Labour values.call for reformThe Church has called for reform of the law.call for the abolition of somethingHuman Rights groups have called for the abolition of the death penalty.call for a ceasefire (=for an end to a war)The United Nations called for an immediate ceasefire. → call back → call by → call down something → call for somebody/something → call something ↔ forth → call in → call somebody/something ↔ off → call on/upon somebody/something → call out → call up→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
call• "Coming, Mom, " I called.• The three packages used in this example are called A-CONFORMOLINES, E-VALUES and F-MAP.• His secretary started calling around to find out where the commission was meeting.• Can you call Becky before six?• Guidebooks call Chicago "The Windy City".• This use is a form of spending; in business it is called depreciation.• A meeting has been called for 3 p.m. Wednesday.• I'll call for a taxi now.• The transition to democracy and market economies will call for much patience and persistence.• Though Republicans called for the president to fire him, Brown refused to step down.• The back page has a strip called Haggis, which is about a black highland terrier and his adventures.• "She's a fraud." "I wouldn't call her that."• Already his followers were calling him a saint.• His name's actually Robert, but everyone just calls him Bob.• "OK, call it." "Heads."• My mother wanted to call me Yuri.• A similar service is offered via e-mail by a company called Mercury Mail.• Do you want to be called Miss or Ms.?• I called round to see if anyone knew where Tom was.• I called Sue yesterday.• People wishing to enroll in the study should request a referral from their doctors or call the nearest participating hospital.• Get out of here or I'll call the police!• Patty called when you were out.• Mr. Sweeney called while you were out.• Didn't you hear me calling you?• "I'll call your dollar - what have you got?" "Three nines."• OK, when I call your name, raise your hand.call somebody names• He tried to make Oliver cry by hitting him, pulling his hair, and calling him names.• He went out and confronted him, calling him names.• "She said I was a fat pig.'' "Oh, I've been called far worse names than that.''be called something• They live in this little town called Leroy, not far from Reed City.• What was that movie called again? call a meeting/strike/election etc• If I had let it go, it would have been called a strike.• Prime Minister Paul Keating must call an election before May this year, with mid-March the most likely time.• The truth is bland: Mr Major will call an election if the opinion polls suggest he can not lose.• He expected his successor to call elections in the autumn.• Roberts called a meeting of the Town Council and he and Cross asked the police to start an investigation.• He opened the sixth inning with a breaking ball for a called strike to Greg Gagne.• Soon after Jeffries' speech the Africana Studies Movement called a meeting to protest his ouster.call ... name• But the day 1 remember is when Neil finally opened his eyes when I called his name.• It was one of those things you know, when you get called names.• Jess, though, is openly bawling even before the announcer calls her name.• She knew that there was no point in jumping up and running after him; no use in calling out his name.• She recognized Telemachus instantly from his likeness to his father and she called him by name.• We may think we see the dead person walking down the street, or hear them calling our name.• He calls us by name, and his relationship to each one of us fits our own person uniquely.call somebody to do something• I've been called to testify at Smith's trial. call (in) at something• In addition to their regular schedules, chief executives are on call at all hours to handle emergencies.• Holman was on call at any time although they had found no trace of the fog for two days now.• He called in at home after.• Before we had received a reply, Fitzroy Maclean chanced to call at my office.• Winston called at six to tell me he would be here for sure.• O all now call at the 15 meter-deep port, some with fully-loaded next-generation vessels.• The 49ers screwed up a penalty call at the end of the fourth quarter.callcall2 ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 TELEPHONEtelephone [countable] when you speak to someone on the telephonecall for Were there any phone calls for me while I was out?call from I received a call from an old friend last week. It’s cheaper to make calls after 6 pm. I’ll give you a call at the weekend.2 → be on call3 SHOUT/CRYshout/cry [countable] a) HBAHBPa loud sound that a bird or animal makes SYN crycall of the call of an owl b) SHOUTa shout that you make to get someone’s attention4 visit [countable]VISIT a visit, especially for a particular reason Sorry, Doctor Pugh is out on a call at the moment.pay/make a call (on somebody) (=visit someone)5 request/order [countable]ORDER/SEQUENCE a request or order for something or for someone to do something Members obediently answered the calls for funds.call for somebody to do something There have been calls for the secretary to resign.a call to arms (=an order for people to fight against an enemy)6 DECISIONdecision a) DS[countable] the decision made by a referee in a sports gamemake a good/bad call There may have been a few bad calls, but they’re making them for a reason. b) DECIDE[singular] informal a decision Don’t just say what you think I would like. It’s your call.make a call (=decide something)an easy/hard call (=an easy or difficult decision)judgment call (=a decision based on your personal judgment of a situation) 7 → there isn’t much call for something8 → there is no call for something9 TTAat an airportPLANE [countable] a message announced at an airport that a particular plane will soon leave This is the last call for flight BA872 to Moscow.10 → have first call on something11 → the call of something12 → the call of nature → be at somebody’s beck and call at beck(1), → port of call, roll-call, wake-up callCOLLOCATIONSverbsmake a callHe made a few calls and then went out.give somebody a call (=phone someone)I’ll give him a call later today.get/have a call (also receive a call formal)At 11 in the evening we got a call from the police.there is/was a callThere was a phone call for you.answer a callWe’re sorry that we cannot answer your call right now.take a call (=answer one)Monica took the call upstairs.return somebody’s call (=call someone after they have tried to call you)I left a message for her but she didn’t return my call.expect a callShe’s expecting a phone call from Matt.transfer a call (=connect one to another person’s phone)The call was transferred to his secretary.put through a call (=transfer or make one)She asked the switchboard to put the call through.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + calla phone/telephone callI had a phone call from Barbara in Australia.a quick callThis is just a quick call to make sure you’re OK.a local call Local calls are free at weekends.a long-distance callI’d like to make a long-distance call. an international calla collect call American English (=one paid for by the person who receives it)Can I make a collect call to Florida, please?incoming/outgoing calls (=coming into or going out of a place)You have to dial 9 first to make an outgoing call.an emergency call (=to the police, fire service, or ambulance service)The police normally respond immediately to an emergency call.a hoax call (=one intended to trick someone)They received a hoax call warning of a bomb in the building.an anonymous call (=in which the caller does not give their name)The £10,000 demand was made in an anonymous call to his home.a crank call (=made by someone you do not know, as a joke or to annoy you)The heavy breathing sounded like a crank call. Examples from the Corpus
call• He remained calm, made a call and forked out $ 700 of his own money for a plane ticket.• a call for help• Taking a long-distance call still causes a certain turbulence here.• Ambulances try to arrive within eight minutes of an emergency call.• This is the last call for flight 372 to Atlanta.• Have there been many calls?• Phone call from Education Office, re. dinner money summary sheets.• Investigators responded to the two locations after they received calls of suspicious packages in the mail.• Weiss has failed to return calls seeking comment.• When you play at your opponent's court, the calls tend to go against you.• This is an unobtrusive way of keeping expensive unofficial calls to the minimum.• As a result, there are fewer circuits open for regular voice calls.call for• Leaders in both parties are calling for changes in campaign finance laws.• Amnesty International has consistently called for the release of political prisoners.• The Times crossword calls for a certain amount of literary knowledge.• Launching a new product is a highly complicated business, and careful planning is called for.• It was a tricky situation that called for a lot of diplomacy.• I hear that you two are getting married. This calls for a celebration.• The Football Association is likely to call for a ban on alcohol at football games.call of• the distinctive call of the hyena pay/make a call (on somebody)• He remained calm, made a call and forked out $ 700 of his own money for a plane ticket.• She offered me a number I could ring in Chicago to make a claim for making a call to Chicago.• A job seeker used that tactic when he made a call to Miller recently.• But one winter evening, Charles Henstock paid a call upon his friend Harold Shoosmith.• And then one night, one bright and starlit night, a true free dragon came by to pay a call.• Having met his hero one evening at a small gathering, he was invited to pay a call the following week.• Another out-of-town visitor paid a call last month.• This will show you just how much you can save on your bill if you make calls out of peak periods.a call to arms• But Kennan stopped short of a call to arms.• Even after the Czech coup, however, Congress was not willing to respond wholeheartedly to a call to arms.• It was a call to arms for a politics that wishes a farewell to arms.• Poets might construe that as a call to arms against a culture of minute-to-minute rush and bottom lines.• Such a call to arms was, in fact, a necessity for a band in their career situation.• This is widely understood as a call to arms to defend the movement against a takeover by Mr Klaus.an easy/hard call• Open admissions was an easy call for the Left and the Right; for liberals, it was torment.• For David Smith, the way to use new digital channels was an easy call.• Inside the Vatican, it was an easy call.• Politically, that was an easy call for the Likud Party leader. CALLCALL /kɔːl $ kɒːl/ noun [uncountable] (computer-assisted language learning) the use of computers to help people learn foreign languagesExamples from the Corpus
CALL• Sample disks for CALL are under discussion but will not be possible until the products are ready.From Longman Business Dictionarycallcall1 /kɔːlkɒːl/ verb1[intransitive, transitive] to telephone someoneShe called the airport to ask about flights.I was told that the office was closed and to call tomorrow.2call (somebody) collect American English to make a telephone call which is paid for by the person you are telephoningSYNreverse the charges BrE3call a meeting/election to arrange for a meeting or an election to happen at a definite timeThe company called a shareholders’ meeting to discuss the takeover bid.4[intransitive] to make a short visit to a person or place in order to do somethingIf you decide not to go ahead, just return the policy within 15 days. No salesman will call.5[transitive] to ask or order someone to come to a placecall somebody in/into/toMike was called into the manager’s office and told there was no longer a job for him.call somebody to do somethingThey were called to give evidence before the committee.6[transitive]FINANCE to repay a loan or bond to a lender, usually before it is normally due to be repaidInterest rates are so low now it’s unlikely the bonds will ever be called. → call back → call for something → call in → call something → off → call on/upon somebody → call up→ See Verb tablecallcall2 noun [countable]1an attempt to speak to someone by telephoneCalls cost 36p a minute cheap rate, 48p at all other times.If you wish to be added to the mailing list, please give me a call on the number above.Andrew Walker telephoned this morning, and would like you to return his call as soon as possible.2a request or demand for someone to do somethingcall forHe made a call for private companies to offer up to 25% of their shares to workers’ co-operatives.a strike call3a short visit, especially for a particular reasonI’ll pay a call on our supplier later this week.4BANKING a demand for money that can be made at any time and without warning, especially a demand for a loan to be repaidThere are $200 million in bearer bonds still outstanding, held by people who did not hear about a call.5BANKING at/on call if a bank lends money at call or on call, the bank can demand to have it paid back at any time and without warningSYNON DEMANDOverdrafts to customers are often granted for a few days or weeks. Some loans to other financial institutions may be loans at call. 6FINANCE a demand from a company to a shareholder to pay for shares that they have been givenThe company is raising £155 million from the first call of 225p a share.7 (also covered call) another name for CALL OPTION (=the right to buy shares etc at a particular price within a specific period of time)Total options volume was 33,000, with puts at 19,000 outnumbering calls.8a decision that you have to make yourselfBuy or don’t buy - it’s your call. → see also yield to call → judgement callOrigin call1 (1100-1200) Old Norse kalla 