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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Coffee called the references to back channels "harmful" to the defense.

From Salon

The United States has had no diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979, and discussions are often conducted through intermediaries and back channels.

From New York Times