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

Picking the winners Elevate Miami Impact Fellows from Miami Dade College helped evaluate finalists and select the winners after nominees were sought through a public callout on social media that generated nearly 2,500 responses. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 20 Nov. 2025

Members of the group and other organizations, including Indivisible Charlotte and CharlotteEAST packed the committee meeting after a social media callout. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Nov. 2025

Verb

Teens typically use mogging as a compliment, a way to call out a peer for their superior haircut or sense of style. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 22 Nov. 2025

As that story continued, another story outside the ring also developed, with critics calling out Alexa's appearance. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

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