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.

First recorded in 1965–70

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

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

From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025

Another email directly used the phrase "back channel" — a key part of prosecutors' argument about Costello's role.

From Salon • May 21, 2024

He explained this was not to undermine the British negotiations with the EU, and so he could not be seen a "back channel".

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2023

Occasionally the racket from the back channel could be heard above the tumult.

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