roll call

noun

1. the calling of a list of names, as of soldiers or students, for checking attendance.
2. a military signal for this, as one given by a drum.
3. a voting process, especially in the U.S. Congress, in which legislators are called on by name and allowed either to cast their vote or to abstain.

roll call

noun

1. the reading aloud of an official list of names, those present responding when their names are read out
2. the time or signal for such a reading

Word History and Origins

Origin of roll call¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

In September this year at the United Nations in New York, President Biden led a global roll call of leaders urging restraint between Israel and Hezbollah.

From BBC

As the Germans held roll call while Levi and his fellow Italian Jews waited for deportation to Auschwitz in 1944, he wrote how the German officer asked, “Wieviel Stück?”

From Salon

The mayor has also made regular visits to police roll calls across the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Even during the state roll call, delegation leaders spoke repeatedly about the need to protect women's rights.

From Salon

The roll call had a DJ blasting tracks for each state, stopping the show when Lil Jon bounded in to introduce Georgia’s delegation and drop a few bars “Turn Down For What.”

From Salon