# back channel

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The smaller of two channels in a river that diverge to form an island.
2. A secondary channel of activity, typically in parallel with primary channels and somewhat independent of them.
3. An unofficial communications channel used to make informal or subversive negotiations.
4. A real-time online discussion that occurs simultaneously with a verbal presentation.
5. A gesture or short prompt by which a listener invites a speaker to continue.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/back-channel