back channel

noun

: a secret, unofficial, or irregular means of communication
back-channel adjective

Examples of back channel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Washington can use sanctions to go after North Korea’s sources of income, but this is ineffective as long as China continues to fund the regime through back channels, and allows its companies and banks to deal with North Korea. Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2017 What is clear, the Jeddah meet and the back channel diplomacy buys diplomatic space and time to develop an off ramp that has a least a little traction for now. Nic Robertson, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024 According to Cohen, Costello tried to create a back channel of communication to Trump through former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2018, after the FBI raided Cohen's office. Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024 An early-morning run along the icy shore of Lake Superior, a boat ride through the back channels of the Mississippi River, paddling out into Lake Michigan – these experiences have done more than just inform our reporting for specific stories. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for back channel 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back channel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back channel was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near back channel

Cite this Entry

“Back channel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20channel. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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