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
Their workplace cross talk and byplay are both hilarious, making this Manhattan Theater Club production, directed by Whitney White, a kind of “Cheers” for today and a comic highlight of the season.
From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2023
Scythe Yingxing zipped his own lip to remind them that there was no cross talk during combat.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
