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 communicationJerrold 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 thingT. H. White †1986
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Signed to a two-way contract after going undrafted last month out of Michigan, the Russian big man had to bide his time early in summer league, with 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware cast at center stage in the middle. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2025 Michigan’s two-way star Mitch Voit, the Mets’ first selection in the draft last weekend, made a visit to Citi Field on Friday to sign his contract. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025 The mayor stressed that the decision for yellow lines on the two-way street was for public safety, citing a 2024 citywide analysis of traffic volume and vehicle speeds that revealed Adams Street as most in need of traffic calming measures. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025 The New York Mets have signed first-round pick Mitch Voit, a two-way player out of the University of Michigan. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for two-way

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of two-way was in 1571

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Cite this Entry

“Two-way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-way. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on two-way

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