talk-back

[tawk-bak]

noun

Radio and Television.

1. a communications system enabling those in the studio to hear control-room personnel through a loudspeaker or headphones.

talk back

verb

1. to answer boldly or impudently

2. to conduct a telephone dialogue for immediate transmission over the air

noun

1. television radio a system of telephone links enabling spoken directions to be given during the production of a programme

2. 1. a broadcast telephone dialogue

   2. ( as modifier )

      a talkback show

Word History and Origins

Origin of talk-back¹

Noun use of verb phrase talk back

Idioms and Phrases

Also, answer back. Reply rudely or impertinently, as in She was always in trouble for talking back, or The teacher won't allow anyone to answer back to her. [Second half of 1800s]

Related Words

• acknowledge 
• argue 
• claim 
• defend 
• deny 
• explain 
• plead 
• resolve 
• respond 
• return 
• say 
• solve