Called is the past tense of the verb call, which has several everyday meanings:

1. To shout or speak loudly to get someone's attention. When your mom called you for dinner last night, she raised her voice so you'd hear her from upstairs. A teacher who called your name during roll call was checking if you were present.
2. To telephone someone. If you called your friend yesterday to ask about homework, you used a phone to talk to them. Before texting became common, people called each other much more often.
3. To name or label something. A dog called Max has that as his name. If someone called you brave after you stood up for a classmate, they were describing you that way. When scientists discover a new species, they decide what it will be called.
4. To summon or invite someone to a specific role or purpose. When a coach called you up from the junior team, she selected you to play with older students. A witness called to testify in court has been officially requested to appear and speak.

The word can also mean to declare or announce something officially, like when a referee called a foul in basketball or an umpire called a runner safe.