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

In his late 20s, he was working as an engineer in Kansas City at a station owned by MacMillan Petroleum Co. — which managed to land the local call letters KMPC.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 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

Stations had their call letters on the cover and a spread inside for rotation charts and advertisers.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2023

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

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu