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.
That was up from 12 cents in the year-ago quarter and surpassed analysts’ consensus call for 21 cents, per FactSet.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
They also call for open science practices and a broader range of mental health outcomes to be examined.
From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026
It’s certainly not a call for state gaming regulators to make.
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call for a smash and grab in the 14000 block of Riverside Drive by Westfield Fashion Square at 7:10 p.m., according to a department spokesperson.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
“Anyone we can call for you? Anywhere you want to go?”
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
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.
