recallre·call /rɪˈkɔːl-ˈkɒːl/ verb [transitiveT]1COMMERCE if a company recalls one of its products, it asks customers to return it because there may be something wrong with itThe company was forced to recall one range of cereals after several packets were found to be contaminated.
—recall noun [countableC]the recall of 13 million defective radial tyres
2to officially tell someone to come backThe U.S. recalled its ambassador in protest.
Some 30,000 auto workers were recalled from layoffs.
3to remember something that you have seen or heard, such as an advertisementConsumers’ ability to recall TV commercials has dropped steadily.
—recall noun [uncountableU]Interviewers tested consumers’ recall of a selection of advertisements.