call buttons

Noun

call button (plural call buttons)

1. A button used to request assistance.
   • Their feeling, anachronistic as the servants’ call button in their dining room, is that if you don’t have the money for something, you don’t buy it.2008 April 17, Joyce Wadler, “Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Solvent”, in The New York Times
2. A button used to request a walk signal at a pedestrian crossing.
   • The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is designed to help pedestrians and bicyclists safely cross busy, multi-lane or high-speed streets. The beacon consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain “dark” until a pedestrian pushes the call button to activate the beacon.2021 February 26, Hannah Eason, “Richmond to install new traffic signals for pedestrians, bicyclists at crosswalks”, in NBC 12, Richmond, Va.: WWBT

   Synonyms:

   beg button

3. A button used to summon an elevator.
   • No more staring at closed elevator doors, repeatedly pressing a call button in frustration.2000 June 11, Mark Wallace, “Tech 2010: #29 Wait No More; The Elevator You Never Have to Wait For”, in The New York Times, section 6, page 96