back channel

American  

[bak chan-l] / ˈbæk ˌtʃæn l /

Or backchannel

noun

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

   sensitive information passed on through a back channel.

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Other Word Forms

• back-channel adjective
• back-channeling noun

Etymology

Origin of back channel

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Might the BBC ask the UK government to step in through back channels?

From BBC

The rest have come largely through back channels.

From Salon

But clearly with Gaetz, Trump was given a clear — if “back channel” — message that the nomination was “not going to work.”

From Los Angeles Times

She added that China may also be "likely worried that that they lack reliable back channels to influence Trump's policy".

From BBC

“This sort of trouble is always handled through back channels,” Nam said.

From Los Angeles Times