recall

1 of 2

verb

re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
recalled; recalling; recalls

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to call back
was recalled to active duty
a pitcher recalled from the minors
b
: to bring back to mind
recalled seeing her somewhere before
c
: to remind one of : resemble
a playwright who recalls the Elizabethan dramatists
3
recallability noun
recallable adjective
recaller noun

recall

2 of 2

noun

1
: a call to return
a recall of workers after a layoff
2
: the right or procedure by which an official may be removed by vote of the people
3
: remembrance of what has been learned or experienced
4
: the act of revoking
5
: a public call by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or contaminated
Choose the Right Synonym for recall

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of recall in a Sentence

Verb She wanted to send him a letter but couldn't recall his address. I don't recall what time they said they would be here. It is important to recall that not very long ago cell phones did not exist. From what I recall, I think the library is two blocks down on the left. “The first time we met,” he recalled, “we got into a big argument.” As you may recall, we had agreed that decisions would require prior approval. “What's his address?” “I don't recall.” The ambassador was recalled from abroad. The factory is recalling all the cars because of a problem with the brakes. Officials recalled two tons of contaminated meat today. Noun They issued a recall of workers after the layoff. The factory has issued a recall of all cars with the defective brakes. She did mental exercises meant to improve her recall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Visiting Kinmen as a tourist today, Chiang recalls how his father did his military service there decades before, observing the Beishan Broadcasting Wall, a tower of speakers that blasted propaganda across the bay. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 The family recalled how Lugo was once entering rehab but immediately left the facility after being rejected for being trans. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Ziggy, a Grammy-winning musician himself, recalled that when the trailer was first released, audiences were moved to tears. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Gillespie appeared taken aback at seeing them, Wells recalled in an interview, then collected himself. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Johnsonville recalled Polish kielbasa turkey sausage produced between Oct. 30 and 31, 2023. Journal Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2024 Ultimately some 67 million U.S. cars were recalled for the potentially fatal flaw in their airbag inflators. Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 In early 2023, the agency said roughly 100 infant deaths over the prior 13 years had been linked to a Fisher-Price Rock'n Play Sleeper recalled in 2019, reiterating its warning to parents to stop using the product. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Key Background The Grand Cherokee recall is the third by Chrysler over the last week. Ty Roush, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
The automaker recalled more than 6.1 million vehicles across 56 recalls last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. William Gavin, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Ground cinnamon voluntary recall:Products sold at Dollar Tree, more may contain lead Allen Park Caribou Coffee hours are 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024 However, recall: UCLA’s title in 1995; Stanford’s impressive showings in the late 1990s; and Arizona’s title in 1997 and yearly top-10 play. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Trader Joe's Chicken Soup Dumplings recall A post on Trader Joe's website March 2 announced a recall on 61,000 pounds of its chicken soup dumplings. The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Here's what to know about the recall: What models are affected? USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 Owners are advised to manually close their tailgate before driving until the recall is finished. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2024 Consumers with questions about the recall can contact CJ Foods at (800) 544-6855. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Those followed a late 2023 recall that affected about 1 million vehicles due to a sensor issue potentially affecting airbags. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recall was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near recall

Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recall. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

recall

1 of 2 verb
re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
1
: cancel sense 2a, revoke
recalled the order
2
a
: to call back
soldiers recalled to active duty
recalled cars with brake problems
b
: to bring back to mind : remember
recalled seeing her somewhere before
recallable adjective

recall

2 of 2 noun
1
: a command to return
2
: a way in which a public official may be removed from office by vote of the people
3
: remembrance of what has been learned or experienced
4
: the act of canceling (as an order)
5
: a call by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or contaminated

Medical Definition

recall

noun
re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio) ˈrē-ˌ How to pronounce recall (audio)
: remembrance of what has been previously learned or experienced
recall transitive verb

Legal Definition

recall

noun
1
: a call to return
a recall of workers
2
: the right or procedure by which an official may be removed by vote of the people
a recall petition
3
: the act of revoking
4
: a public call by a manufacturer for the return of a defective or especially unsafe product
recall transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on recall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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