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

They say it would prefer to play the role of back channel facilitator, which Islamabad held in talks with the Taliban over the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Messages continued to be exchanged, with Qatar, Oman, France and the U.K. working their back channels, European and Arab officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

She often works through back channels, tapping the credibility she and SpaceX have built up over the years.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC