collect call

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although her children could be heard in the background of a March 20 collect call obtained by People, she referenced them being taken from her custody in another call two days later.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

In particular, he said a collect call McCullough made from the Rockford post office on the night when Maria disappeared showed that it would have been impossible for McCullough to have abducted the girl.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 5, 2016

The officers allowed her to make a collect call on the coinless cellblock pay phone.

From New York Times • Jul. 7, 2016

Each time you click a streaming radio channel, or download a podcast, it’s as though you’re making a collect call.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2014

Instead, a recording came on the line, saying, “This is a collect call from an inmate at the Massachusetts State Penitentiary...,” before another person chimed in.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks