courtesy call

American  

[kur-tuh-see kawl] / ˈkɜr tə si ˌkɔl /

noun

1. a visit or telephone call made for the sake of politeness or diplomacy.

   The newly appointed ambassador of Argentina paid a courtesy call on the leader of the opposition today.

   The delivery team was very professional and made a courtesy call in advance of their arrival.

---

Etymology

Origin of courtesy call

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"It was a courtesy call, as we run one of the largest madrassas in the country," Haque said.

From Barron's • Dec. 29, 2025

Late last month, California fire officials made a courtesy call to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

The challenge now falls to Japan, where Trump on Monday will sit for a courtesy call with Emperor Naruhito.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

Labour's Henry McLeish is the only previous holder of the office to have been granted a courtesy call to the Oval Office.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

Woman operator in Bangalore apologizing for calling someone in America too early: “This is just a courtesy call, I’ll call back later in the evening. ..”

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman