back channel

See also: backchannel and back-channel

English

Noun

back channel (plural back channels)

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. (computing) A real-time online discussion that occurs simultaneously with a verbal presentation.
   • 2017, Di Zou, James Lambert, “Feedback methods for student voice in the digital age”, in British Journal of Educational Technology, volume 48, number 5, page 1083:

     TodaysMeet visualizes collaborative and parallel conversations in a backchannel through a digital classroom where every student has a voice.

5. (linguistics) A gesture or short prompt by which a listener invites a speaker to continue.

Coordinate terms

• side-channel

Related terms

• backchannel
• back-channel

References

• OED 2006