# Webhook Meaning in Tech English: Examples & Practice (2026) > A webhook is an automated way for one application to send real-time data to another application when a specific event occurs. - **Term:** webhook - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /ˈwɛbhʊk/ - **English level (CEFR):** C1 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Tech jargon](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/tech-jargon.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/webhook - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A webhook is an automated way for one application to send real-time data to another application when a specific event occurs. Instead of checking for updates constantly, webhooks push notifications immediately when something happens. Webhooks are a key pattern in modern software architecture that enable event-driven communication between systems. When an event occurs in one system (like a payment being processed or a user signing up), that system automatically sends an HTTP POST request to a predefined URL in another system. This allows different applications to stay synchronized without constant polling or manual intervention. In real tech companies, webhooks are used extensively for integrations. For example, payment processors like Stripe send webhooks when transactions complete, e-commerce platforms send webhooks when orders are placed, and CI/CD systems send webhooks when builds finish. Instead of your application constantly asking another system for updates (which wastes resources), the other system tells you immediately when something relevant happens. Developers configure webhooks by specifying a URL endpoint where their application will receive these notifications. The receiving application then processes the data in the webhook payload and takes appropriate action. This pattern reduces latency, improves efficiency, and is fundamental to building responsive integrations between services. ## When you hear it We set up a webhook so our system receives instant notifications whenever a customer completes payment. ## Examples - **in a standup:** "We integrated Slack webhooks so the team gets notified whenever a critical error is logged in production." - **in a code review:** "Make sure to validate the webhook signature before processing the request, otherwise we have a security vulnerability." - **in a team meeting:** "The webhook from GitHub automatically triggers our CI pipeline every time someone pushes code to main." ## What native speakers say - "We need to configure webhooks for the Stripe integration" - "I will set up a webhook to listen for deployment events" - "The webhook payload contains all the order details" ## Common mistakes - ✗ "We use webhooks to request data from the API." → ✓ "We use webhooks to receive real-time notifications when events occur." (Webhooks receive pushed data, they do not request data. That would be an API call.) - ✗ "Our system is polling the webhook every 5 seconds." → ✓ "Our system is listening for webhooks from the payment provider." (Webhooks push data to you; you do not poll them. Polling is used with APIs.) - ✗ "We sent a webhook to update their database." → ✓ "We triggered a webhook that sends data to their system." (You do not send webhooks; services send webhooks to your endpoint when events occur.) ## Be careful Webhooks are not the same as APIs. Webhooks are event-driven callbacks, while APIs are general interfaces for making requests. Do not use these terms interchangeably. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | webhook | The webhook endpoint must handle HTTP POST requests. | | noun | webhooks (plural) | We are setting up multiple webhooks for different event types. | | verb | webhook (used as verb in technical contexts) | We webhook the notification to our logging system. | ## Collocations - **configure webhooks**: Set up or arrange webhooks for a specific service - **webhook endpoint**: The URL address where the webhook data will be sent - **webhook payload**: The data or information sent in the webhook request - **webhook signature**: A security verification that confirms the webhook came from the legitimate source - **listen for webhooks**: Have your system ready and waiting to receive webhook notifications - **trigger a webhook**: Cause an event that sends a webhook notification ## Synonyms - **callback**: A general term for functions called in response to events. Webhooks are HTTP-based callbacks. - **push notification**: Webhooks push data to your system, but push notifications typically refer to mobile app notifications. - **event stream**: A continuous flow of events. Webhooks are one way to receive event data. ## Opposites - polling - request-response ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/webhook ## FAQ ### What does webhook mean in software engineering? A webhook is an automated HTTP callback that one application sends to another when a specific event occurs. It is a way for services to push real-time data to your application instead of your application constantly asking for updates. For example, when you receive payment through Stripe, Stripe sends a webhook to your server with the payment details. ### How do you use webhook in a sentence at work? You can use it like: We configured a webhook to receive notifications from the payment provider. We need to validate the webhook signature to ensure security. The webhook payload includes all the order information. Each sentence describes a practical aspect of working with webhooks in development. ### Is webhook formal or informal? Webhook is neutral and technical. It is used in both formal documentation and casual team conversations. You might say it in a standup meeting, a code review, or in technical specifications—it is appropriate in all professional tech contexts. ### What is the difference between a webhook and an API? An API is a general interface where your application makes requests to another service and waits for a response. A webhook is a specific type of integration where another service pushes data to your application when an event occurs. Webhooks are event-driven and do not require polling, while APIs are request-response based. ### Why are webhooks important in modern applications? Webhooks enable real-time communication between services without constant polling, which saves resources and reduces latency. They are essential for building responsive integrations, automating workflows, and keeping systems synchronized. Most modern SaaS platforms like Stripe, GitHub, and Slack use webhooks for their integrations. ## Related - [API](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/api.md) - [payload](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/payload.md) - [endpoint](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/endpoint.md) - [callback](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/callback.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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