Webhooks
DEFINITION
Server-to-server HTTP callbacks fired when a specific event happens — the push counterpart to pull APIs.
In depth
If polling is "call me back in 5 minutes and I'll tell you the status", webhooks are "I'll call you the moment it changes". They cut latency, reduce load, and enable real-time integrations.
Production webhooks must handle: retries (with backoff), signature verification (HMAC), idempotency (delivering the same event twice is normal), and a dead-letter queue for permanently failed deliveries.
Related terms
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Last reviewed 14 April 2026 by Abhi Verma.