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

Then there is a callout to high school seniors in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park that is taking place right now in connection with a longtime Rotary Club of Detroit tradition — the Detroit Rotary Youth Citizen Service Award, which celebrates and promotes youth community involvement. —Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec. 2024

This month, though, twelve of those It items deserve more than just their usual callout. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

The pick: Bills Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-1) | 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Brian Callahan called out his team’s lack of toughness last week, and the Titans responded by falling behind 38-7 to the Colts last week. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024

James was calling out someone claiming that the Earth is flat. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1