backchannelnoun [ C ]
/ˈbækˌtʃæn.əl/a method of communication or discussion that is not direct or made public:
They were accused of paying a businessman to act as a secret backchannel to top officials.
specialized language, psychology a sound or sign that someone makes to show that he or she is listening to the person who is talking
backchannelverb
-ll- or US usually -l- also back-channel /ˈbækˌtʃæn.əl/[ I or T ] to communicate or take part in discussions in a way that is not direct or made public:
He was asked about his role in backchannelling between the two governments.
[ I ] specialized language, psychology to show that you are listening to someone who is talking to you, by making a sound or sign:
The study showed that speakers often signaled their comprehension by backchanneling.