will-call

American  

[wil-kawl, wil-kawl] / ˈwɪlˌkɔl, ˈwɪlˈkɔl /

noun

1. an item of merchandise that is reserved for a customer, who takes possession of it when payments have been completed.

2. a department in a store where such merchandise is held.

3. layaway plan.

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adjective

1. of or relating to merchandise held in will-call or on the layaway plan.

Etymology

Origin of will-call

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Fans waited in line throughout the day Thursday at the will-call office at Nationals Park, despite the rain, to get more collectible paper versions of their original digital tickets from games 3, 4 and 5.

From Washington Times • Oct. 31, 2019

People were sometimes disappointed when Gaithersburg’s Christopher Hitchens showed up places that were hoping for the other Christopher Hitchens, such as at the Kennedy Center will-call ticket office.

From Washington Post • Dec. 18, 2016

Nearby, at the front of the will-call line, was a family of four from Florida.

From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2016

Seating was first-come, first-serve and all tickets were will-call, so he wanted to be there early.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2016

The will-call line was extra long and security extra tight at Neumos Wednesday.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2013