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Definition of recall

recall

/rɪˈkɔːl/
re · call

Plural:recalls
•
Adjective:recallable
•
Past Simple:recalled
•
Past Participle:recalled
•
Present Participle:recalling
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recall Lexical Profile

recall Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To bring a fact, event, or situation back into one's mind; to remember.

Example

"I can still vividly recall my very first day of elementary school."


2

To officially order or request the return of a defective product or summon an official, diplomat, or military unit back to a place.

Example

"The food company had to recall thousands of jars of peanut butter due to possible contamination."


3

To cause someone to think of or be reminded of something through resemblance or association.

Example

"The architect's bold use of geometric glass panels recalls the modernist styles of the mid-twentieth century."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

The mental faculty or act of remembering something learned or experienced in the past.

Example

"The witness demonstrated remarkable recall of the events that took place that evening."


2

An official order or request by a manufacturer for the return of a defective or unsafe batch of products.

Example

"The automaker issued a nationwide recall after discovering a flaw in the braking system."


3

A constitutional procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct petition and vote before their term has ended.

Example

"Frustrated citizens gathered enough signatures to trigger a recall of the city mayor."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for recall
Antonyms
View all antonyms for recall

Word Nuance & Usage

'Recall' is a heteronym whose pronunciation shifts slightly depending on part of speech: as a verb, stress always falls on the second syllable (re-CALL), whereas as a noun, primary stress typically falls on the first syllable (RE-call), especially in American English.

• Rhymes for recall

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from the Latin-derived prefix 're-' (meaning 'back' or 'again') combined with the verb 'call' (from Old Norse 'kalla', meaning 'to cry loudly' or 'summon').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Recall. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/recall
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