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

Ian Machado Garry has voiced his displeasure with Usman for not accepting his callout. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Son Gives Retirement Update on 'Iron Mike' Now, the callouts between the Paul and Fury families has reached a wild turn. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

Their specific policy positions will not matter as much as their willingness to call out everyone from Biden and Kamala Harris, to the tech oligarchy, to whatever failing mayor happens to be nearby. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) called out compliance issues at Theranos' lab, and the company's high-profile partnerships began to fall through. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1