cross talk
Americannoun
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interference heard on a telephone or radio because of unintentional coupling to another communication channel.
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incidental conversation; chatter, as opposed to formal discussion.
The meeting was slowed by cross talk between board members.
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British. witty, fast-paced dialogue, especially in a play, comic act, etc.; repartee.
Etymology
Origin of cross talk
First recorded in 1885–90
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.
No group rules are stated; cross talk seems welcome.
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
Despite the frequent cross talk, the tone overall was rather cordial.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2025
"Blocking proteasomes seems to have an activity-modulatory effect across all the cells, despite being expressed in a subpopulation, suggesting that proteasomes facilitate a kind of cross talk between these cells," says Margolis.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 12, 2024
There was so much cross talk and interrupting — by both governors — that it was impossible to hear what they were saying.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
The industry term for this is "cross talk."
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
