transitive verb

1. to say or read in a loud tone; shout; announce to call the names of stations
2. to command or ask to come; summon call him to supper
3. to summon to a specific duty, profession, etc. the army called him
4. to convoke judicially or officially to call a meeting
5. 1. to give or apply a name to call the baby Ann
   2. to designate they called her a cheat
6. to consider or describe as specified I call it silly
7. to direct (attention) to
8. to awaken call me at six
9. to communicate with by telephone
10. to give orders for to call a strike
11. ☆ to stop or halt game called because of rain
12. to demand or order payment of (a loan or bond issue)
13. to utter or chant directions for (a square dance)
14. ☆ to imitate the sounds of in order to attract (a bird or animal)
15. 1. in pool, to describe (the shot one plans to make)
    2. to predict
16. ☆
    1. Poker to equal (the preceding bet) or to equal the bet of (the last previous bettor)
    2. to challenge on, or force to account for, something said or done
    3. to expose (someone's bluff) by such action
17. ☆ Sports
    1. to declare officially to be the umpire called him out
    2. to invoke (a penalty) against (a player or team)

Etymology: ME callen < Late OE ceallian & or < ON kalla < IE base *gal-, to scream, shriek > Brythonic galw, call, Ger klage & (?) MIr gall, swan

intransitive verb

1. to speak in a loud tone; shout
2. to utter its characteristic cry, as a bird or animal
3. to visit for a short while: with on or upon
4. to ask that a person do something, esp. speak, as at a meeting: with on or upon
5. to telephone
6. ☆ Poker to equal the last previous bet

noun

1. an act or instance of calling
2. a loud utterance; shout
3. 1. the distinctive cry of an animal or bird
   2. a sound made in imitation of such a cry to attract an animal or bird
   3. a device that makes such a sound
4. 1. a summons to a meeting, rehearsal, etc.
   2. the calling up of a quota of men for military service
5. a signal on a bugle, drum, etc.
6. an act or instance of telephoning
7. an economic demand, as for a product
8. a request a call for aid
9. an inner urging toward a certain action or profession, esp. a religious vocation regarded as divinely inspired
10. an invitation to accept a position as a minister, teacher, etc.
11. power to attract or allure the call of the wild
12. need; obligation; occasion no call for tears
13. an order or demand for payment
14. a brief visit, esp. a formal or professional visit
15. a direction given by a caller of square dances
16. roll call
17. an option to buy a given quantity of a stock, commodity, etc. at a specified price and within a specified time: calls are purchased in expectation of a rise in price
18. Bridge a pass, bid, double, or redouble
19. 1. Sports an official's decision or ruling a good call by the umpire
    2. a decision “What do you want to do?” “I don't care— it's your call.”