Synonyms

call number

American

noun

Library Science.

a number, letter, symbol, or combination of these, indicating the specific location of a work in a library, especially the combination of the classification symbol and the designation for the author.

call number British

noun

Also called: call mark. the number given to a book in a library, indicating its shelf location

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of call number

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

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 C-17 craft, call number Reach 871 and based in Dover, Delaware, was among the several that carried hundreds of pre-cleared Afghans out of the country, Defense One reported on Monday.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2021

I live near a college library, and often I’ll look up one title and then just roam the stacks, letting one call number lead me to the next.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2021

A presidential commission examining law enforcement in the mid-1960s came up with recommendations including creating a 911 emergency call number and beefing up training and research for police.

From Washington Post • Nov. 3, 2020

A caller dials the conference call number, usually shared through word of mouth or on Facebook groups.

From The Verge • Nov. 22, 2019

“There are ribbons of electromagnetic material in the lining of the bookcases. The strength of those magnets will be modulated by our maglev computer based on the call number you input.”

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

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