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

Those are at least a few of the callouts to the configuration. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026

The prediction market order in particular appeared to be a backhanded callout of the recent eyebrow-raising bets on the strikes in Iran and the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which some critics have cited as signs of potential insider trading. —Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Verb

David Fry battled Matz through 10 pitches, actually being called out on strikes but an ABS challenge reversed the call, drawing a walk. —Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

During his deposition, Musk was called out for inflating his early contributions to OpenAI. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 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