call letters

American  

plural noun

1. letters of the alphabet or such letters in combination with numbers for identifying a radio or television station, an amateur radio transmitting device, or the like.

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call letters British  

plural noun

1. the call sign of an American or Canadian radio station, esp that of a commercial broadcasting station

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Etymology

Origin of call letters

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

call letters

When radio stations expanded into television, some tacked on “-TV” to their call letters, or just added a “T.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2024

Because radio call letters fired up more than 100 years ago, some of them bear the quaint hallmarks of a new medium in that older age.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2024

KGAY’s call letters aren’t a fluke but a savvy marketing tool.

From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024

“We could have stayed in Belltown but it would have been difficult advancing that vision there. A lot of people don’t even know we exist. When I mention our call letters I still get, ‘Who?’

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 15, 2023

I see call letters printed on the sides of their microphones—it’s the local news stations.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu