roll call

American  

noun

roll calls plural

1. the calling of a list of names, as of soldiers or students, for checking attendance.

2. a military signal for this, as one given by a drum.

3. a voting process, especially in the U.S. Congress, in which legislators are called on by name and allowed either to cast their vote or to abstain.

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roll call British  

noun

1. the reading aloud of an official list of names, those present responding when their names are read out

2. the time or signal for such a reading

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• roll calls
  plural

Etymology

Origin of roll call

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

The firefighters took a quick roll call and resumed their work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

The party leader was elected in a roll call of politicians at the Senedd's first meeting since his party's historic election victory.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

And after this week, there is a growing possibility it could happen in full daylight with a roll call vote in the Senate.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Eastern on Wednesday, and a roll call could be tight.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 11, 2025

One morning at roll call Adek was waiting at my usual spot, though it was dangerous for him to be out of his formation.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman