follow-up

[ fol-oh-uhp ]

noun

1. the act of following up.
2. an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit.
3. Also called follow. Journalism.
   1. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published.
   2. Also called sidebar, a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance. Compare feature story ( def 1 ), human-interest story, shirttail.

adjective

1. designed or serving to follow up, especially to increase the effectiveness of a previous action:

   a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer.

2. of or relating to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc.:

   follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey.

follow up

verb

1. to pursue or investigate (a person, evidence, etc) closely
2. to continue (action) after a beginning, esp to increase its effect

noun

1. 1. something done to reinforce an initial action
   2. ( as modifier )

      a follow-up letter

2. med a routine examination of a patient at various intervals after medical or surgical treatment

Word History and Origins

Origin of follow-up¹

First recorded in 1920–25; noun, adj. use of verb phrase follow up

Example Sentences

Cedars-Sinai medical staff had failed to follow up on imaging and lab orders and delayed taking Johnson back to the operating room until nearly 10 hours had passed since her C-section, the letter said.

From Los Angeles Times

We plan to publish some of the responses, but we won’t publish any part of yours without following up with you, verifying your information and hearing back from you.

From New York Times

She followed up in the debate with hard shots at Trump’s credentials as a patriot and a protector, saying that Putin would eat his lunch and military leaders said Trump was a disgrace.

From Salon

They had one crowd-pleasing moment in the first quarter when Harden drilled a three-pointer only for Curry to follow up with a three on the next possession.

From Los Angeles Times

Australia followed up their thrilling victory against England last weekend with further matches against Scotland and Ireland this autumn to come.

From BBC