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

About one-fifth of the callouts at Los Padrinos and Nidorf last month came from staffers on the temporary stints. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

The online callout came after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that killed at least 45 Palestinians sparked outrage around the world. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 25 June 2024

Verb

Giudice's original Instagram post, shared to her 2.3 million followers, quickly drew attention from fans calling out the photo's obvious editing. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 9 July 2024

Reid’s injuries came during a staffing crisis on Rikers Island that saw hundreds of officers abuse the Correction Department’s sick leave policy in 2021 and 2022, calling out of work but not staying home as required. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 8 July 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