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two-way

American  
[too-wey] / ˈtuˈweɪ /

adjective

  1. providing for or allowing movement in opposite directions, or both to and from a place.

    two-way traffic.

  2. allowing or entailing communication or exchange between two persons, groups, countries, etc.

  3. involving two parties or participants, as a relationship or agreement; two-sided.

    a two-way race for the nomination.

  4. entailing responsibilities, obligations, etc., on both such parties.

  5. capable of both receiving and sending signals.

    a two-way radio.

  6. capable of being used in two ways.


two-way British  

adjective

  1. moving, permitting movement, or operating in either of two opposite directions

    two-way traffic

    a two-way valve

  2. involving two participants

    a two-way agreement

  3. involving reciprocal obligation or mutual action

    a two-way process

  4. (of a radio, telephone, etc) allowing communications in two directions using both transmitting and receiving equipment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of two-way

First recorded in 1565–75

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.

"Crucially, these new quantum algorithms can enable the development of new quantum materials to build new paradigms of quantum computers, creating a productive two-way feedback loop between quantum materials and quantum computers," he explains.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

Slow starts by France against Italy and Ireland will again make England heavy favourites to secure a fifth Grand Slam in a row, if it is a two-way battle for that prize next week.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

The move upends a period of relative calm in economic relations between the U.S. and EU, whose annual two-way trade relationship is worth roughly $1.5 trillion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

In a two-way data center revenue race between the companies, Intel held a 71% share in 2021, which dwindled to 7% last year.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

If you belong to a group of twenty people, however, there are now 190 two-way relationships to keep track of: 19 involving yourself and 171 involving the rest of the group.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

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