mess call: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very LowTechnical/Military
Quick answer
What does “mess call” mean?
A bugle, trumpet, or voice signal sounded in military contexts to announce that a meal is ready to be served.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bugle, trumpet, or voice signal sounded in military contexts to announce that a meal is ready to be served.
A signal or announcement indicating that food is available, primarily within military, scouting, or institutional (e.g., summer camp) settings. It can also refer informally to any clear signal to eat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both variants but is more firmly entrenched in American military tradition and parlance. The British military might use it but has other traditional terms like 'Cookhouse'.
Connotations
In both, it connotes discipline, routine, and community eating. In the US, it carries a strong association with historical and modern military life.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to broader cultural exposure via films and literature about the US military.
Grammar
How to Use “mess call” in a Sentence
Sounded the mess call for the battalion.They waited for the mess call.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mess call” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The duty officer will mess call the recruits at 1800 hours.
American English
- The First Sergeant mess-called the company for evening chow.
adjective
British English
- The mess-call procedure is outlined in the manual.
American English
- We all knew the mess-call bugle tune.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or military studies contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A parent might joke 'I'll sound the mess call' when dinner is ready.
Technical
Core usage is in military drill, ceremony, and camp operations manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mess call”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mess call”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mess call”
- Using it in non-regimented contexts (e.g., 'The mess call for the office lunch').
- Misspelling as 'mescall'.
- Treating 'mess' as an adjective (e.g., 'messy call').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. Its primary use is military, but it can be accurately used for similar organised groups like scout camps or boarding schools with a regimented schedule.
'Mess call' is the formal, traditional term. 'Chow call' is more informal slang, predominantly used in the US military. They refer to the same event.
No. It comes from the Old French 'mes' (a course of a meal), referring to a group who eat together. The 'untidy' meaning developed later from the state of a dining area after a meal.
You might hear it at a military base, during a historical reenactment, at a traditional summer camp, or in films/depictions of military life.
A bugle, trumpet, or voice signal sounded in military contexts to announce that a meal is ready to be served.
Mess call is usually technical/military in register.
Mess call: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmes ˌkɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmes ˌkɔl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make a mess call of something (rare, punning extension meaning 'to create chaos')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'mess' hall where food is served, and a 'call' is made. The call to the mess.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME FOR SUSTENANCE IS A SUMMONING SIGNAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the term 'mess call' MOST appropriately used?