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altar call

American

noun

an evangelist preacher's invitation at the end of the sermon, asking people to come forward to acknowledge a conversion.

Etymology

Origin of altar call

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

Like an evangelist giving an altar call, his bid is invitational in nature.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026

When she was 11, she had a conversion experience during an altar call and vowed to devote herself to Christian service.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2024

An altar call is a religious tradition where those who wish to make a spiritual commitment come forward.

From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2021

During the altar call, when the fire-and-brimstone preacher invited people to come forward and be saved, Harper’s friend tapped her on the shoulder and asked if they could go together.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 26, 2018

“She never answered the altar call, did she now?”

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023