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

But New Athena didn’t get a specific funding callout in Congress’s 2026 budget for NASA. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026

Expect more international grocers to add tourist-facing signage, English-language product callouts, tax-free counters and shipping options at flagship locations. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

While some are staunchly pro-Clarkson in the debate that has since taken over the internet, others have questioned the singer’s motives for calling out the small business across her social media accounts. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

There was no nasty DM needed or a post calling out the fan's thirst. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 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