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back channel

American

[bak chan-l] / ˈbæk ˌtʃæn l /

Or backchannel

noun

a secret, unofficial, or informal channel of communication as used in politics or diplomacy.

sensitive information passed on through a back channel.

Other Word Forms

back-channel adjective
back-channeling noun

Etymology

Origin of back channel

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The message went via a Pakistani facilitated back channel, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

It is possible that back channel contacts could well produce a ceasefire, followed by a return to talks.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

These talks went on for a month, completely in a back channel.

From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025

To achieve that, Leo worked a back channel directly to Blunt.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2023

“Den we tak to das back channel, where de water not queek, and I t’ink we mak good tam.”

From The God of His Fathers: Tales of the Klondyke by London, Jack

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023