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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.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of back channel

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 • 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

Both Mr. Trump and Mr. McConnell were made aware of this back channel between the two camps.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2024

At 2.35 p.m. camped on a back channel of the river, as the principal channel was difficult of access from the steep bank and dense growth of reeds.

From Journals of Australian Explorations by Gregory, Augustus Charles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023