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

Like so many employers, the McDonald's franchise had struggled with callouts across its restaurants, so its owners were enthusiastic from the start. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Rooms The Venetian has always liked to remind would-be visitors that every room is a suite, and in this case, the room sizes really do warrant the frequent callouts. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

Every time a player screwed up, the coaching staff and his teammates received a text message, calling out both the infraction and the guilty party. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

This spin-out from FedEx was a stock Jim called out to buy at Thursday's Monthly Meeting . — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 14 Aug. 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