call-in

1 of 2

adjective

: allowing listeners to engage in broadcast telephone conversations with the host or a guest
a call-in show

call in

2 of 2

verb

called in; calling in; calls in

transitive verb

1
: to order to return or to be returned: such as
a
: to withdraw from an advanced position
call in the outposts
b
: to withdraw from circulation
call in bank notes and issue new ones
2
: to summon to one's aid or for consultation
call in a mediator
3
: to deliver (a message) by telephone
call in an order for pizza

intransitive verb

: to communicate with a person by telephone
Phrases
call in sick
: to report by telephone that one will be absent because of illness

Examples of call-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
The show, with music by Willie Fong Young and a book by Fred Burch, centered on a group of teenagers vying in a radio call-in contest to win a backstage pass to meet a rock star. Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 The offer is valid for dine-in, online, call-in, and carryout. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 7 Oct. 2024
Verb
If the blood trail doesn’t look good, consider calling in a tracking dog. Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024 But if there's any doubt, Smith said, the unit is called in. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for call-in 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1952, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of call-in was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near call-in

Cite this Entry

“Call-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call-in. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

call in

transitive verb
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!