call-and-response
noun
call-and-re·sponse
ˌkȯl-ən(d)-ri-ˈspän(t)s 
: a statement quickly followed by an answering statement
also
: a musical phrase in which the first and often solo part is answered by a second and often ensemble part
Examples of call-and-response in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The quintessential crunk anthem, produced by Lil Jon, boasts an explosive energy, heavy bass, and call-and-response style lyrics.
—
Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 17 June 2024
Semira is adept at knowing when to interlace perfect concert call-and-response moments into their rhymes.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2024
And on Monday, a masked man led a call-and-response chant by protesters on a crowded Manhattan subway car.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 June 2024
Dozens of protesters at New York University stormed out of Yankee Stadium as the college president spoke, and CUNY Law students led a call-and-response during the ceremony over the school’s decision to cancel student speakers before walking out.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 May 2024
Euphoria moment at the shots of the human mega-fans in the audience, dressed up in their own vampire cosplay, mouthing along to the words and shouting out in call-and-response moments like some kind of protozoic Rocky Horror Picture Show.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 19 May 2024
His wife then decided, whether in celebration or competition, to sing the jaleo—that hell-raising-flamenco call-and-response—with the senior Hermoso, Fernando, who turned out to have a great voice.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2024
Their call-and-response structure also helps play up their complementary tones while remaining true to the anthemic nature of power soca.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 2 May 2024
While Bethesda is involved with the show, its game, Fallout 5, which will be released sometime in the 2030s, is too far out for the Prime Video series to be a genuine call-and-response between the mediums.
—Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 17 June 2024
Semira is adept at knowing when to interlace perfect concert call-and-response moments into their rhymes.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2024
And on Monday, a masked man led a call-and-response chant by protesters on a crowded Manhattan subway car.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 14 June 2024
Dozens of protesters at New York University stormed out of Yankee Stadium as the college president spoke, and CUNY Law students led a call-and-response during the ceremony over the school’s decision to cancel student speakers before walking out.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 May 2024
Euphoria moment at the shots of the human mega-fans in the audience, dressed up in their own vampire cosplay, mouthing along to the words and shouting out in call-and-response moments like some kind of protozoic Rocky Horror Picture Show.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 19 May 2024
His wife then decided, whether in celebration or competition, to sing the jaleo—that hell-raising-flamenco call-and-response—with the senior Hermoso, Fernando, who turned out to have a great voice.
—Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2024
Their call-and-response structure also helps play up their complementary tones while remaining true to the anthemic nature of power soca.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 2 May 2024
While Bethesda is involved with the show, its game, Fallout 5, which will be released sometime in the 2030s, is too far out for the Prime Video series to be a genuine call-and-response between the mediums.
—Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'call-and-response.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near call-and-response
Cite this Entry
“Call-and-response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call-and-response. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share