call

/kɔːl/ noun

Definition

› [C] COMMUNICATIONS an act of communicating with someone by phone: a phone/telephone call I'm expecting a phone call from him this morning.a local/international/long-distance call The company is dropping international call charges to over 20 countries.make/place a call We're not allowed to make private calls at work.get/receive/take a call Thank you for taking my call.return sb's call He was busy when I contacted him and he didn't return my calls. → See also cold-call, conference call, courtesy call, toll call

› [C] a short visit, especially one for a particular or official purpose: a customer/sales callpay a call on sb While I was in the area, I took the opportunity of paying a call on one of my clients. → See also courtesy call

› [C] a demand for something to happen: a call for sth Yesterday there were renewed calls for a change in the law.

› [C or U] a situation in which people or businesses want or need a particular thing: a call for/on sth Energy efficiency and conservation could lead to a reduced call for exports.no call for sth There is no call for such luxuries in the present economic climate. He was finding that there were a numbers of calls on his time in his new role.

› [C] STOCK MARKET a demand made by a company to shareholders for payment of money they owe for shares for which they have paid only part of the price: Shareholders received notice of a call of 40 cents per share on all partly paid-up shares.

› FINANCE a demand for money that is owed to be paid back: Your loan may contain a call provision if you fall behind on your payments. → See also cash call, margin call

› [C] FINANCE call option

at/on call › FINANCE, STOCK MARKET used to describe a loan that must be paid back immediately upon the request of the financial organization lending the money: Many banks have money market loans at call with discount houses. › BANKING used to describe a bank account from which you can take money out when you ask for it: All our accounts are at-call accounts that require no minimum deposit or balance.

on call › HR available to work when needed: He is on call round-the-clock two weeks each month.

(Definition of call noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)