: allowing listeners to engage in broadcast telephone conversations with the host or a guest
a call-in show
called in; calling in; calls in
1
: to order to return or to be returned: such as
a
: to withdraw from an advanced position
call in the outposts
b
: to withdraw from circulation
call in bank notes and issue new ones
2
: to summon to one's aid or for consultation
call in a mediator
3
: to deliver (a message) by telephone
call in an order for pizza
: to communicate with a person by telephone
see also:
Examples of call-in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The radio call-in format dates back to the 1950s, although in some of the first shows to feature listener calls, the calls were recorded for later broadcast, or the hosts summarized them to avoid objectionable content being aired.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Cooper officially claimed the first-ever cellphone call in history when Joel Engel — his rival at AT&T — answered.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for call-in
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Adjective
Some stations opened their call-in lines to anguished listeners.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
The radio call-in format dates back to the 1950s, although in some of the first shows to feature listener calls, the calls were recorded for later broadcast, or the hosts summarized them to avoid objectionable content being aired.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May 2026
Verb
People just have to be comfortable with making tough or unpopular calls in advance and being okay with the occasional negative or unanticipated outcomes.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Cooper officially claimed the first-ever cellphone call in history when Joel Engel — his rival at AT&T — answered.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for call-in
Cite this Entry
“Call-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call-in. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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