full duplex

This term is a technical specification used primarily in telecommunications and networking. It describes a state of bidirectional communication where the sender and receiver can transmit data at the same time, similar to a telephone conversation. This contrasts with half duplex, where only one party can transmit at a time, similar to a walkie-talkie.

In a technical context, the term is often used as a compound modifier (adjective) to describe hardware capabilities or as a noun to describe the operational mode itself. It carries a neutral, professional register and is almost exclusively found in engineering, IT, and computer science documentation.