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

Other concrete policy callouts included California’s commitment to increasing the number of people covered by health insurance, even as the federal government seeks to shove folks off Medicaid. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Because of that, police said a callout for additional resources was made, and additional law enforcement, including a SWAT team, responded to the scene. —Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026

Verb

The politician regularly calls out the Jimmy Kimmel Live star. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026

Some have called out their former, older partners after feeling taken advantage of. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 5 Jan. 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