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

Napheesa Collier, the WNBA All-Star who recently put the league’s leadership on blast, received praise from fellow players in response to her four-minute callout aimed at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league office. —Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

In January, the singer posted a callout on her Instagram Stories seeking couples interested in getting legally married onstage during her tour stops. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

Verb

Bondi warned over the summer against apps that allow people to communicate about the location of law enforcement officers and specifically called out ICEBlock’s Aaron. —Danny Bakst, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025

The comments prompted Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears to call out the governor in Mears' first tweet in nearly three years. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1887, 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