Definition of Calling

Noun: calling ko-ling

The particular occupation for which you are trained
"If it weren't for John Newton's advice that politics was his calling, Wilberforce might well have been an obscure country cleric";
- career, vocation
A strong urge to become religious, or change to some other way of life

Verb: call kol

Assign a specified (usually proper) name to
"They called their son David";
- name
Ascribe a quality to or give a name of a common noun that reflects a quality
"He called me a bastard"; "She called her children lazy and ungrateful"
Get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
"I tried to call you all night"; "Take two aspirin and call me in the morning";
- telephone, call up, phone, ring
Utter a sudden loud cry
"she called with pain when the doctor inserted the needle";
- shout, shout out, cry, yell, scream, holler, hollo [non-standard], squall
Order, request, or command to come
"She was called into the director's office"; "Call the police!";
- send for
Pay a brief visit
"The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens";
- visit, call in
Call a meeting; invite or command to meet
"The Wannsee Conference was called to discuss the 'Final Solution'"; "The new dean calls meetings every week"
Read aloud to check for omissions or absentees
"Call roll"
(telecommunication) send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc.; make a signal to in order to transmit a message
"Hawaii is calling!"; "A transmitter in Samoa was heard calling"
Utter a characteristic note or cry
"bluejays called to one another"
Stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather
"call a football game"
Greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
"Call me Mister"; "She calls him by first name";
- address
Make a stop in a harbour
"The ship will call in Honolulu tomorrow"
Demand payment of (a loan)
"Call a loan"; "call in a loan";
- call in
(card game) make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
"He called his trump";
- bid
Give the calls (to the dancers) for a square dance
- call off
(sport) indicate a decision in regard to
"call balls and strikes behind the plate"
Make a prediction about; tell in advance
"Call the outcome of an election";
- predict, foretell, prognosticate, forebode, anticipate, promise
Present for redemption before maturation
"Call a bond"
Challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offence
"He deserves to be called on that"
Declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee
"call a runner out"
Lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal
"Call ducks"
Order, request or give a command for
"The unions called a general strike for Sunday"
Order, summon, or request for a specific duty or activity, work, role
"He was already called 4 times for jury duty"; "They called him to active military duty"
Utter in a loud voice or announce
"He called my name"; "The auctioneer called the bids"
Challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of
"call the speaker on a question of fact"
Consider or regard as being
"I would not call her beautiful"
Rouse somebody from sleep with a call
"I was called at 5 A.M. this morning"