talk-back

[ tawk-bak ]

noun

, Radio and Television.

1. a communications system enabling those in the studio to hear control-room personnel through a loudspeaker or headphones.

talk back

verb

1. to answer boldly or impudently
2. to conduct a telephone dialogue for immediate transmission over the air

noun

1. television radio a system of telephone links enabling spoken directions to be given during the production of a programme
2. 1. a broadcast telephone dialogue
   2. ( as modifier )

      a talkback show

Word History and Origins

Origin of talk-back¹

Noun use of verb phrase talk back

Idioms and Phrases

Also, answer back . Reply rudely or impertinently, as in She was always in trouble for talking back , or The teacher won't allow anyone to answer back to her . [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Then, she brings the talk back to Burger Chef, and the surveying she did in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

From The Daily Beast

As I'm walking, my father is in my ear on a mike so we can talk back and forth.

From The Daily Beast

You know, like the way things happen when you talk to people in real life and they talk back to you.

From The Daily Beast

"Please don't get our talk back where it was before," pleaded Helen, as they stepped out on the porch and Lowell said good-bye.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a good deal of talk back and forth, and, in the end, most of those there present remained loyal to Blaine.

From Project Gutenberg

Never was a man so grateful as Mr. Bixby was: because he was brim full, and here were subjects who would talk back.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ye'll be tired afore ye git home," he persisted, encouraged by finding that she would talk back at him.

From Project Gutenberg

You could utter a word and it would talk back at you for fifteen minutes, when the day was otherwise quiet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acknowledge
• argue
• claim
• defend
• deny
• explain
• plead
• resolve
• respond
• return
• say
• solve