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 …

—Theodore H. White

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

And again backups, two-way players and unknowns found a way against Erik Spoelstra’s team, with the Heat falling 125-118 Saturday night at Kaseya Center. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026

Davis, one of the greatest two-way players in NBA history, walked into his new home to find there would always be comparisons to Doncic, a 26-year-old generational superstar in the prime of his career, who spent 6½ seasons dazzling Mavs fans with his otherworldly offensive talents. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 1 Feb. 2026

Gardner, 24, went undrafted in 2023 out of Little Rock and signed a two-way contract with the Heat this past offseason after shining for Miami in summer league. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026

The move will free up minutes for rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford at shooting guard while opening the door for the Kings to convert undrafted rookie center Dylan Cardwell from a two-way contract to a standard NBA contract. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026

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