callback

American  

[kawl-bak] / ˈkɔlˌbæk /

Or call-back

noun

callbacks plural

1. an act of calling back.

2. a summoning of workers back to work after a layoff.

3. a summoning of an employee back to work after working hours, as for emergency business.

4. a request to a performer who has auditioned for a role, booking, or the like to return for another audition.

5. recall.

6. a return telephone call.

7. an allusion to a joke made earlier in the same comedy act or show.

   The kitten yelling “Quiet!” at the end was a callback to earlier in the episode when the two normally silent brothers shouted it.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a return telephone call.

   Please leave a callback number.

verb phrase

1. to telephone (a person) who has called earlier.

   Our staff will call you back within 24 hours.

2. to summon or bring back; recall.

   He called back the messenger.

   The actor was called back for a second audition.

3. to revoke; retract.

   to call back an accusation.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• callbacks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of callback

First recorded in 1925–30; noun use of verb phrase call back

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

callback callbacks

“Given this slow job market, any movement — a callback, an interview and certainly an offer — is precious for job seekers,” Glassdoor said.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026

By the time Wright and I spoke last week, he still hadn’t gotten a callback.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026

My knee was aching, likely a callback to surgery at 16 to repair torn ligaments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

The fate of the world is never in question, but a callback for a second audition means everything.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2026

“Jordan! I heard from my friend that you got a callback, too. It’s, like, the big news on Facebook.”

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

While it’s still a sitcom, the show embraces sci-fi and elevates a quartet of supporting characters from “The Big Bang Theory” for a crazy multiverse ride with callbacks to the original series.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Increasingly bonkers developments drive a pleasing final act that brings in several satisfying callbacks to the 1997 original.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025

The report’s conclusion relies on the average speed of answer, which includes callbacks so that callers are not actively waiting on the phone.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 23, 2025

Logic is ditched for franchise callbacks and Easter eggs, dubious subplots and laying track for the inevitable next sequel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2025

Volpe and Krause select ten students for callbacks the next day.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove