What does "recall" mean?

1. (to remember) to bring a fact, event, or situation back into your mind. 2. (to order the return of a product) to ask customers to return a product because it is broken or dangerous. 3. (to summon back) to officially ask someone to return to a place. 4. (the ability to remember) the ability to remember things you have seen or heard. 5. (a product return) an official order to return a faulty or dangerous product. 6. (removing an official) a vote to remove an elected leader from their job before their time is finished.

Is it correct to say "I recall to see him at the party."?

No — say "I recall seeing him at the party.". When 'recall' is followed by another verb, use the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'.

recall

v. · n.

US //ˈɹiˌkɔɫ// re·call

1 to remember (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to bring a fact, event, or situation back into your mind.

to retrieve information or experiences from memory. Often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause.

Example

I can't recall exactly what he said during the meeting yesterday.

Example

The witness struggled to recall the specific details of the vehicle, though she was certain about the driver's height.
- remember
- recollect
- forget
Pitfall

I recall to see him at the party.

I recall seeing him at the party.

When 'recall' is followed by another verb, use the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'.
2 to order the return of a product (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to ask customers to return a product because it is broken or dangerous.

to issue a formal request for the return of a batch of products due to safety defects or manufacturing errors.

Example

The car company had to recall thousands of vehicles because of a brake problem.

Example

The manufacturer decided to recall the entire line of infant car seats after a minor structural flaw was discovered during routine testing.
- withdraw
- retract

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3 to summon back (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to officially ask someone to return to a place.

to officially summon someone back to a previous location, station, or duty.

Example

The ambassador was recalled to his home country for urgent talks.

Example

Following the sudden escalation of the border dispute, the government recalled its senior diplomats to the capital for an emergency briefing.
- summon
- call back
- dispatch
- send
4 the ability to remember (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the ability to remember things you have seen or heard.

the faculty or power of remembering; the capacity for information retrieval.

Example

She has an amazing recall of names and faces, even after many years.

Example

The candidate's total recall of obscure legislative details impressed the interview panel during the final round of questioning.
- memory
- retention
- forgetfulness
5 a product return (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

an official order to return a faulty or dangerous product.

a public request by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or unsafe.

Example

The supermarket issued a recall for the chicken because of a health risk.

Example

The massive product recall cost the electronics firm millions in lost revenue and severely damaged its reputation for quality control.
- withdrawal
6 removing an official (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Formal Law

a vote to remove an elected leader from their job before their time is finished.

a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended.

Example

The governor faced a recall after the public became unhappy with his new taxes.

Example

The city charter allows for a recall election if a sufficient number of registered voters sign a formal petition within ninety days.
- removal
- impeachment
- election
- appointment

Origin

From re- + call, probably modelled on Latin revocāre, French rappeler, English withcall.