WordGarden.iocallable
B1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈkɔləbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
able to be invoked like a function in software
able to be redeemed before maturity by an issuer
able to be called, contacted, or summoned
Noun
a software object or routine that can be called
Beyond the definition
When we say something is "callable," we usually mean it can be summoned back or used earlier than usual. In money matters, that appears most clearly in loans and bonds, where one side has the right to demand repayment early. A callable loan lets the lender ask for full repayment before the original term ends. Think of lending your favorite sweater to a friend who can ask it back unexpectedly. You also see "callable" for people who can be summoned to duty and for technology terms like a callable function that can be invoked.
The word "callable" means "able to be called" in the sense of being summoned, reclaimed, or activated under someone else’s right. In finance, it most often describes bonds or loans that can be repaid before maturity. A callable bond gives the issuer the right—not an obligation—to redeem the bond early at a set price after certain terms are met, which can help the issuer refinance debt if market conditions become favorable. A callable loan works similarly, giving the lender the right to ask for early repayment.
Beyond finance, callable can refer to a person who can be called up for duty, such as military service. In programming, a callable object or function is one the system can execute when needed. Across these uses, the shared idea is the same: there is a built-in right or mechanism to call something in, or to act on it, ahead of the ordinary schedule.
Examples
- 1
Programming argument
This method expects a callable as its first argument.
- Domainin programming, callable
something you can use like a function
- 2
Python objects
In Python, classes with a `__call__` method are also callable.
- 3
Finance
The fund holds several callable bonds that the issuer may repay early.
- Domainin finance, callable bond
a bond that can be paid back before its official end date
See also
Similar
- invocable
- function-like
Shades of meaning
- executable
- invokable
Contrast
- non-callable
- data object
Used with (collocations)
- callable object
- callable function
- is callable
Word family
Explore
- function object
- higher-order function
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- callableadjective