two-way

adjective

ˈtü-ˈwā 

1

: moving or allowing movement in either direction

a two-way bridge

2

a

: involving or allowing an exchange between two individuals or groups

there must be good two-way communication

—Jerrold Orne

especially : designed for both sending and receiving messages

two-way radio

b

: involving mutual responsibility or reciprocal relationships

political alliance is a two-way thing

—T. H. White †1986

3

a

: involving two participants

a two-way race

b

sports : playing on both the offensive and defensive squads of a team (as in American football)

Frost, a throwback to the era of two-way players, is the Cardinal's starting free safety and backup quarterback.

—The New York Times

also : playing both offense and defense well

a basketball forward who's a talented two-way player

4

: usable in either of two manners

a two-way lamp

5

: being a cock or valve that will connect a pipe or channel with either of two others

Examples of two-way in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amazon $200 Arlo Arlo ticks all the boxes with crisp 2K video, a wide 160-degree field of view, two-way audio, and direct Wi-Fi connection, and the Pro 5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) tops our best outdoor security cameras guide. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 8 July 2025

Shohei Ohtani’s return to two-way role going (mostly) well a month in From Bill Shaikin: What would a baseball team in Los Angeles want from a retired artist and designer in New York? —Sports Editor follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

Furphy, the 35th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, will be joined on the Pacers’ summer roster by 2025 second-round picks Kameron Jones and Taelon Peter and two-way contract players RayJ Dennis, Enrique Freeman and Quenton Jackson. —Gary Bedore july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025

Meanwhile, the Summer League contracts signed by Scott and Smith offer them an audition that could turn into a two-way deal. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for two-way

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

two-way

adjective

1

: moving or acting or allowing movement or action in either direction

two-way traffic

a two-way street

2

a

: involving two persons or groups

communication is a two-way process

b

: made to send and receive messages

a two-way radio