callout

American  

[kawl-out] / ˈkɔlˌaʊt /

Or call-out

noun

1. an act or instance of calling out, or speaking in a loud voice.

2. an order to report for emergency or special work, especially at an unusual time or place.

3. a letter, number, or other device for identifying or calling attention to a particular part of an illustration or text.

4. a challenge to a duel.

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verb phrase

1. to speak in a loud voice; shout.

2. to summon into service or action.

   Call out the militia!

3. to bring out; elicit.

   The emergency called out her hidden abilities.

4. to direct attention to with a callout.

   to call out each feature in a technical drawing.

5. to criticize adversely; express disapproval of; censure.

   Even his fans have called him out on his treatment of women.

6. 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

See Examples For:

callout

New Orleans’s airport callout rate hit 42% that day, the highest among major airports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

About 10% of TSA employees have called out of work, Duffy said Thursday, which is five times the normal callout rate.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 20, 2026

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 ● Feb. 28, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025

Let us callout Lysistrata Since she alone can settle the Peace-terms.

From Lysistrata by Aristophanes