front channel

[ fruhnt chan-l ]

noun

1. one of the speakers in the front arc of a surround sound array:

   The sound design balances the dialogue to the front channels while the score resonates through the subwoofer.

2. an official, formally acknowledged forum for communication as used in business or government:

   The intelligence community should be preparing for foreign policy negotiations via front channels in some cases, and by back channels in others.

Other Words From

• front-channel adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of front channel¹

First recorded in 1985–90