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

Our Readers' Favorite Store-Bought Potato Salad The simple request solicited 70 comments, and while there were a few callouts to other brands like Sam’s Club, Aldi, and Walmart, the far and away favorite was Publix. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026

Others, such as Susan Braverman, also reported feeling stretched thin after being required to work in stressful conditions with higher-than-normal callout rates while not receiving compensation. —Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Association of Educators is encouraging teachers to call out of work on May 1 for a march in Raleigh to call attention to the cause. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026

But Cooper went out of his way to call out the penalty box official. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 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