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

There are a few other helpful features, such as two-way talk to speak with visitors on the other side of your door, as well as a siren that can scare away any unwanted parties. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Redick doesn’t expect any of the injuries that kept Reaves, guard Collin Sexton (lower body) and two-way forward Arthur Kaluma (lower body) to be long-term. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

He was dealt to the Knicks on draft night and shortly after signed his first two-way contract with that organization. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026

How the oral-gut axis actually works The oral-gut axis is a two-way communication network between the mouth and the digestive system that moves through the bloodstream, saliva and the gut-brain axis. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 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