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

With the return of Marvin Bagley III, coach Jason Kidd had access to every player on his roster except Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II and the team’s trio of two-way players. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026

Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026

Jamal Cain is Orlando’s third two-way player. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026

Troy Murray, one of the best two-way centers in Chicago Blackhawks history who went on to a long and decorated broadcasting career with the team, died Saturday morning at age 63, the team announced. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 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