callback
callback — noun
- callbacksingular
- callbacksplural
1. a phone call you make later to answer someone who phoned first
a phone call you make later to answer someone who phoned first
Elena promised a callback after her meeting ended at six.
promise a callback after a missed call
The dentist's office left a callback when Bao asked about an earlier appointment.
Hui waited all afternoon for the callback from the plumber.
After the missed call, Joshua sent a text instead of a callback.
callback as a reply to an earlier phone call
- get a callback
- leave a callback
- promise a callback
- wait for a callback
Usage Note
Usually used after a missed call, voicemail, or message. Common verbs are get, leave, promise, and wait for. This is a noun; the phrasal verb is call back.
2. an invitation to return for another interview or audition after doing well in th
an invitation to return for another interview or audition after doing well in the first one
Roya got a callback for the theater role after her first audition.
get a callback after an audition
The law firm gave Hari a callback for a second interview next week.
After three dance tryouts, Xiu finally received a callback from the company.
Lisa smiled when the casting assistant called with a callback.
callback meaning a second-round invitation
- get a callback
- receive a callback
- callback audition
- callback interview
Usage Note
Common in acting, dance, music, and hiring. It can mean either the message asking you to come back or the second-round meeting itself, depending on context.
3. a later detail that points back to an earlier event, image, or line and makes yo
a later detail that points back to an earlier event, image, or line and makes you think of it again
The final scene includes a callback to the joke from the opening dinner.
callback to an earlier scene or line
Sivan noticed a callback to the old school song in the sequel.
That blue umbrella is a callback to the rainy day in chapter one.
The director used the same red scarf as a callback to Nellie's first appearance.
visual callback that repeats an earlier detail
- callback to a joke
- visual callback
- narrative callback
- subtle callback
Usage Note
Often used when discussing films, television, books, comedy, and speeches. The later detail has extra meaning because the audience remembers the earlier moment it points to.
4. a function passed to other program code so it can run later when a particular ev
a function passed to other program code so it can run later when a particular event or result happens
The app uses a callback after the file finishes uploading.
callback runs after an event finishes
Kwame wrote a callback to close the pop-up after the timer ended.
The payment service runs a callback when the bank confirms the transfer.
callback triggered by an external result
Our chat tool triggers a callback if a user leaves the page.
- register a callback
- run a callback
- trigger a callback
- callback function
Usage Note
Used in programming. The callback is supplied first, but it runs later after an event, response, or timer. This sense is different from everyday phone-call uses.
5. an official notice telling buyers to send back a faulty product so the maker can
an official notice telling buyers to send back a faulty product so the maker can repair or replace it
The toy company announced a callback after several batteries caught fire.
callback caused by a product safety problem
Stores posted the callback notice beside the unsafe electric kettle.
Parents checked the brand website for a callback on the baby stroller.
The callback covered every helmet sold between March and June.
callback covering a defined group of products
- announce a callback
- callback notice
- callback list
- callback on a product
Usage Note
Used in manufacturing and retail when a safety fault is discovered. In general news and consumer writing, recall is often more common than callback for this meaning.
Etymology
First known use
1890
1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1