callout

American

[kawl-out] / ˈkɔlˌaʊt /

Or call-out

noun

an act or instance of calling out, or speaking in a loud voice.
an order to report for emergency or special work, especially at an unusual time or place.
a letter, number, or other device for identifying or calling attention to a particular part of an illustration or text.
a challenge to a duel.

verb phrase

to speak in a loud voice; shout.
to summon into service or action.

Call out the militia!
to bring out; elicit.

The emergency called out her hidden abilities.
to direct attention to with a callout.

to call out each feature in a technical drawing.
to criticize adversely; express disapproval of; censure.

Even his fans have called him out on his treatment of women.
to challenge to a duel.

Etymology

Origin of callout

First recorded in 1885–90; callout defs. 1, 2, 3, 4 represent noun uses of verb phrase call out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After nearly 20 inches of snow and a viral callout from Sidetalk—a hilarious New York-focused account with 4.4 million followers on TikTok and 1.8M on Instagram—thousands showed up to Washington Square Park for the battle.

From Slate

Usually after big events like a hurricane, the BLS includes a little callout box that outlines the potential pitfalls.

From Barron's

Music artist Billie Eilish has never been shy about speaking her mind, and her latest callout of the world’s ultra-wealthy is no exception.

From Salon

Rabhan responded to Roan's callout in a post to X accusing the “Femininomenon” singer of faux-activism and refusing to put up his own cash.

From Salon

Former Atlantic Records exec Jeff Rabhan ridiculed Roan’s callout at the Grammys in an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023