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

The full embrace of the Classical California name means the stations will no longer use their local call letters outside of legally mandated identifications given at the top of each hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2025

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

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

He saw its call letters over the entrance of an office building, so he went in.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut