callout

1 of 2

noun

call·​out ˈkȯl-ˌau̇t 

1

: the act or an instance of calling out

2

: an often bordered inset in a printed article or illustration that usually includes a key excerpt or detail

call out

2 of 2

verb

called out; calling out; calls out

transitive verb

1

: to summon into action

call out troops

2

: to challenge to a duel

3

: to order on strike

call out the workers

4

: to publicly criticize or fault (someone)

The FDA will have to start forcing companies to be transparent and call them out on it when they're not.

—Massimo Calabresi et al.

Examples of callout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sometimes a playful comment, an unexpected reply or a joking callout between brands takes on a life of its own online. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

The move follows historically high airport security wait times this spring resulting from a partial government shutdown that led to widespread TSA agent callouts and staffing shortages. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 19 May 2026

Verb

Tiawana Brown also posted a video on Monday to Facebook of her approaching the courthouse and calling out to a television news camera crew that was stationed there. —Ryan Oehrli june 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026

Jeremiah Garcia Heartbreaking video that was posted to social media on Saturday night showed the dog's owner crying and calling out her dog's name. —Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for callout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout