callout

1 of 2

noun

call·​out ˈkȯl-ˌau̇t How to pronounce callout (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
No, the bigger surprise is the body in her kitchen, the cocaine in her meringues, and the Breaking Bad callouts. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025 The purpose of the callout could have been to get the buzz going. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 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 See all Example Sentences for callout 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of callout was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near callout

Cite this Entry

“Callout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/callout. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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