call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although he was sidelined from the hit series, the suspension was later called off. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 Albertsons then called off the $24.6 billion merger and announced a lawsuit against Kroger that claims the supermarket giant didn’t do enough to win approval of the plan. Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025 Jeff Bezos' space company will try again to launch its new rocket as early as Thursday after calling off the debut launch because of ice buildup in critical plumbing. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 Trump has asked the Supreme Court to call off Friday’s sentencing. Michael Hill, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for call off 

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near call off

Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on call off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!