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

The callout angered some Herron parents, especially those who disapprove of SB 1 and do not believe charter schools should be siphoning property tax dollars from traditional public schools. —Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 22 Apr. 2025

Other callouts include its digital display that clearly shows the mode (min, mid, max, or jet) and other essentials like the charging status, maintenance guide, and error guide. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2025

Verb

Republicans, including some who were critical of California's policies and Newsom amid the California wildfires six months ago, have also called out efforts to politicize the Texas flooding. —Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 11 July 2025

In July, more than 90 human rights and civil rights groups including Athlete Ally, the NAACP, the ACLU, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the AFL-CIO wrote to FIFA president Infantino to call out escalating risks around the 2026 World Cup. —Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 11 July 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