recalled; recalling; recalls
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
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
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
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Wilson-Hendrix doesn’t recall anyone telling her brother about his impact.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
The recall involves more than 580,000 prazosin hydrochloride capsules distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Hawks might whip up enthusiasm by waving a bloody shirt or recalling a stab in the back.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Wilson-Hendrix doesn’t recall anyone telling her brother about his impact.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Tuesday’s unveiling of the new charges against Pearce and Osborn comes one day before the deadline for a recall petition against Gascón.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
The recall involves more than 580,000 prazosin hydrochloride capsules distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recall
Cite this Entry
“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recall. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recall
1 of 2 verb
re·call
ri-ˈkȯl 
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
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
Legal Definition
recall
noun
re·call
ri-ˈkȧl, ˈrē-ˌkȯl
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
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