recall

1 of 2

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: cancel, revoke
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
: restore, revive
recallability
ri-ˌkȯ-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce recall (audio)
noun
recallable
ri-ˈkȯ-lə-bəl How to pronounce recall (audio)
adjective
recaller noun

recall

2 of 2

noun

re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio) ˈrē-ˌkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
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

Synonyms of recall

Relevance

Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Today, this is usually recalled, when it’s recalled at all, as trivia. — Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026 Pulisic recalled arriving at Pochettino’s temporary office for a meeting and hearing a country song. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Noun
The release said no products with other lot codes or best-by dates were impacted by the recall. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Two lots of dog food not only have been pulled this week in a not-food-in-your-food recall, but the manufacturer claims theft put them on store shelves in the first place. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall

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

Phrases Containing recall

Rhymes for recall

See All Rhymes for recall

Browse Nearby Words

recalibrate
recall
recallable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recall. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
-ˈkȯ-lə-bəl How to pronounce recall (audio)
adjective

recall

2 of 2 noun
re·​call ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio) ˈrē-ˌkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
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
ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
transitive verb

Legal Definition

recall

noun
re·​call ri-ˈkȧl, ˈrē-ˌkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
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
ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on recall

Nglish: Translation of recall for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about recall

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