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 officer said the bomb squad handles over 400 deployments annually, including approximately 150 to 175 callouts, many of which involve discovered military ordnance or equipment. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

While not officially branded as an ACG project or donning any explicit callouts to the all conditions line, the upcoming Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble in Cacao Wow/Black has some undeniable retro outdoor flair. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Verb

Abbott, a three-term incumbent, was also called out for being on Musk’s payroll. — Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026

In the last two minutes of the flight, Filgueiras shifted from calmly communicating with air traffic controllers to calling out terrifying updates as the plane plummeted. — Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 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