callback

/ˈkɔːlbæk/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔlbˌæk] /ˈkɔːlbæk/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɔlbˌæk] /ˈkȯl-ˌbak How to pronounce callback (audio)/ (ame, mw)

callback — noun

  • callbacksingular
  • callbacksplural

1. a phone call you make later to answer someone who phoned first

1.名詞B2
釋義

a phone call you make later to answer someone who phoned first

例句

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.

用法筆記

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

2.名詞B2
釋義

an invitation to return for another interview or audition after doing well in the first one

例句

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.

用法筆記

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

3.名詞C1
釋義

a later detail that points back to an earlier event, image, or line and makes you think of it again

例句

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.

用法筆記

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

4.名詞C1
釋義

a function passed to other program code so it can run later when a particular event or result happens

例句

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.

用法筆記

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

5.名詞B2
釋義

an official notice telling buyers to send back a faulty product so the maker can repair or replace it

例句

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.

用法筆記

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.