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]
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Summon someone or something. For example, The audience called for the playwright , or The judge called for the verdict . [First half of 1500s]
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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.
The 67 recommendations of the report call for a joined up approach with agencies able to share information more effectively.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
While his call for peace and an end to the “globalization of indifference” is a vital message for our time, turning away isn’t always a sign of indifference.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
No one seemed to call for this or expect it or know entirely why she was doing it, but so she did.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
Still, across the board, estimates call for a sharp jump after months of softer readings.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
There were buttons for everything—to lower the blinds, to change the lights from normal to blue, to call for a butler!
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
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.
