call for
Idioms-
Go to get someone or something, as in John said he'd call for Mary at eight , or Someone's at the door, calling for the package . [First half of 1600s]
-
Summon someone or something. For example, The audience called for the playwright , or The judge called for the verdict . [First half of 1500s]
-
Require, demand, as in This job calls for a lot of patience . [First half of 1700s] Also see no call for ; uncalled for .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2013, Krishna co-authored a HarperCollins book, “Crimes Against Women: Three Tragedies and the Call for Reform in India,” a compilation of WSJ’s reporting on women’s issues in 2012 and 2013.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
The Call for Concern scheme has been partially rolled out in three other Welsh health boards, while the remaining three intend to do so in the future.
From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026
Reverend Dr. William Barber II is a renowned anti-poverty crusader and co-chair of the new Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, which he relaunched in 2018.
From Salon • Jan. 20, 2025
This week, host June Thomas talks to journalist Maureen Ryan, author of the book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood.
From Slate • Jul. 16, 2023
She turned to me, then to Call for support.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
