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

Luke Esquivel, sophomore, Grapevine Grapevine’s two-way ace and the 2025 Star-Telegram Player of the year continued his dominance while leading the Mustangs. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

The robot had 360-degree video cameras, two-way emergency communication and an emergency call button that could connect people with dispatchers. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026

Also expected to receive extended summer action with the Heat is undrafted University of Miami guard Tre Donaldson, who was signed to a two-way contract shortly after Wednesday night’s conclusion of the draft. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

The World Cup cultural exchange program is a two-way street, and when not introducing Americans to the effortless cool of his people, Haaland took in Game 5 of the Canes-Golden Knights series in Raleigh. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for two-way

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

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