collect call

noun

1. a long-distance telephone call that is to be paid for by the person or station receiving it.

Word History and Origins

Origin of collect call¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

He’s trying to raise his children through collect calls, 15 minutes at a time.

From Time

While the agents did verify that Tessier made the collect call he said he did, the ticket blew a huge hole in his alibi.

From The Daily Beast

This was a collect call placed from Canada to the police department?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• local call
• long-distance call
• phone call
• telephone conversation