call sign

American  

noun

1. call letters.

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call sign British  

noun

1. a group of letters and numbers identifying a radio transmitting station, esp an amateur radio station Compare call letters

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Etymology

Origin of call sign

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Whenever a US president is on the jet, it officially takes the call sign Air Force One.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

A Ukrainian sniper commander whose call sign is Coyote said troops are still needed to take and hold positions, and snipers are part of that infantry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

In Hegseth’s version, he replaced “and they shall know that I am the Lord,” from the book of Ezekiel with the call sign for a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The scene captures the same sense of cringe that I felt whenever I heard a radio call sign that broadcast the user’s insecurity to everyone listening.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

They used her name as the call sign and Derek had shown Brian how to use the radio, the correct procedure in case of an emergency.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen