recall

Formsrecalls, recalling, recalled

Pluralrecalls (some meanings)

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To bring a past event or fact back into your mind.

   Like finding an old photo in your mind and looking at it again.

   I can't recall her name, even though we met last week.

   He recalled every detail of the trip when his friends asked.

   Similarremember, recollect

   Oppositeforget

   Note
2. 2
   SayREE-kawlUS/ˈɹiˌkɔl/UK/ˈɹiːkɔːl/

   noununcountable

   The ability to remember things.

   Like a box of memories you can open to find what you need.

   Her recall of childhood events is remarkable.

   After the injury, his recall slowly returned.

   Similarmemory, recollection, remembrance, retention

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To ask people to bring back a product because it is not safe or has a fault.

   Like a store asking you to bring back a toy that turned out to be broken.

   The company recalled thousands of cars after the brake problem.

   Toy makers must recall any product that could harm children.

   Similarwithdraw

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable or uncountable

   Calling a person or thing back, or telling them to return.

   After the war ended, the army started the recall of its soldiers from overseas.

   When business got better, the factory began the recall of workers it had let go.

   Similarwithdrawal

   Note
5. 5
   SayREE-kawlUS/ˈɹiˌkɔl/UK/ˈɹiːkɔːl/

   nouncountable

   An order for people to return a product that is faulty or unsafe.

   The recall affected every model sold last year.

   After the recall, the factory checked each item by hand.

   Similarwithdrawal

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To order someone to come back to a place or job.

   The army recalled the soldiers to base during the crisis.

   The team may recall their best player from the minor league.

   Similarsummon, withdraw

   Oppositedispatch

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To take back words you said, or cancel an order you gave.

   He tried to recall his harsh words, but it was too late.

   The general recalled the order before the troops moved out.

   Similarwithdraw, retract, revoke, recant, disavow

   Note
8. 8
   verbUStransitive

   To remove an elected leader from their job through a public vote.

   Like voting to remove a leader from their job before their time is up.

   Voters moved to recall the governor over the budget scandal.

   They recalled the mayor after collecting enough signatures.

   Similaroust, remove, unseat

   Oppositeelect

   Note
9. 9
   SayREE-kawlUS/ˈɹiˌkɔl/UK/ˈɹiːkɔːl/

   nounUSuncountable

   A way for voters to remove a public official from office before their term ends.

   Like a rule that lets voters end a leader's job early if enough people sign on.

   Recall lets voters remove an official partway through a term.

   Many state constitutions include recall as a check on elected leaders.

   Note
10. 10
    verbtransitive

    To bring someone back to a certain state, feeling, or activity.

    Nothing could recall him to his old cheerful self.

    The teacher's sharp voice recalled the daydreaming students to their lesson.

    Similarrestore, return

11. 11
    verbtransitive

    To make you think of something else because it is similar.

    These bright colors recall a summer garden in full bloom.

    The old building's design recalls an ancient temple.

    Similarevoke, echo, suggest, resemble

    Note
12. 12
    verbtransitive or intransitive

    To call someone again, or to phone at another time.

    The receptionist will recall the patient when the doctor is free.

    If no one picks up, recall in an hour.

    Note

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