call letters

plural noun

1. letters of the alphabet or such letters in combination with numbers for identifying a radio or television station, an amateur radio transmitting device, or the like.

call letters

plural noun

1. the call sign of an American or Canadian radio station, esp that of a commercial broadcasting station

Word History and Origins

Origin of call letters¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

In his late 20s, he was working as an engineer in Kansas City at a station owned by MacMillan Petroleum Co. — which managed to land the local call letters KMPC.

From Los Angeles Times

KTLA, KFWB, KTTV, KNX — you know the call letters of local radio and TV stations and probably have a jingle or two stuck in your head.

From Los Angeles Times

But federal regulations insist that they always identify themselves at the beginning of each hour by their call letters and the “city of license.”

From Los Angeles Times

The WB in the call letters led people to conclude it was a deliberate “get” for Warner Brothers, but it was the luck of the draw.

From Los Angeles Times

Ingram, who had used his own monogram as the call letters.

From Los Angeles Times