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

Several years ago, for instance, artificial intelligence wouldn’t have gotten a callout. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 June 2026

Gaethje will have no shortage of suitors and Topuria is likely to receive a few callouts now that his aura of invincibility has been compromised. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Verb

Cody Rhodes called out the logic of Gunther being rewarded after kicking Cody in the head with a car door. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Zito also called out other socialists, such as former Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, for attempting to appeal to voters as a working man of the people. — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 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