backlog

1 of 2

noun

back·​log ˈbak-ˌlȯg How to pronounce backlog (audio)
-ˌläg
1
: a large log at the back of a hearth fire
2
: an accumulation of tasks unperformed or materials not processed
a backlog of court cases

backlog

2 of 2

verb

backlogged; backlogging; backlogs

Examples of backlog in a Sentence

Noun We have a huge backlog of orders to be filled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Tesla, rather famously, has a massive reservation backlog for the electric pickup truck that launched back in November. Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 They’re occasionally scheduled for eight-hour overnight shifts to deal with the inevitable backlog. Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 But that potential economic dividend must contend with the incendiary politics, logistical hurdles and administrative backlogs that the surge has created. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 In fiscal year 2030, about $6 billion in debt taken in 2017 to pay down the state’s bill backlog will be retired. Shruti Singh, Bloomberg.com, 21 Feb. 2024 Supply chains have cleared their backlogs, taming prices for refrigerators and rugs alike. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 The agency has vowed to clear a longtime backlog in the Superfund program, which was established in 1980 to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. Matthew Daly, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 Hacking away at the backlog The VA is also working to tackle a continued backlog of benefits claims. USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 Immigration reform - by having a 6 month moratorium on all immigration to allow USCIS to process the backlog (some for over 150 year wait times). Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024
Verb
For the 2024 tax season, Collins urged the IRS to make clearing up its identity theft backlog a higher priority. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024 Related:Infractions backlog likely to push Louisville basketball's case into a sixth year NCAA's Complex Case Unit's allegations against Louisville men's basketball: 1. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2022 The 2023 tax season is already looking stressful, with the IRS' returns backlog growing and the agency warning Americans that their refunds might come later than usual. Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2022 During 2021, Energy Resources added 7.2 GW of new wind, solar and energy storage projects to backlog, which has grown at a 20 percent compound annual rate since 2017. Roger Conrad, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2022 Outside of that May backlog, Alabama’s case count hasn’t been this high since March - though cases are still well below the highs seen here in December and January. al, 13 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backlog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backlog was in 1684

Dictionary Entries Near backlog

Cite this Entry

“Backlog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backlog. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

backlog

noun
back·​log
-ˌlȯg,
-ˌläg
1
: a large log at the back of a fire in a fireplace
2
: an accumulation of tasks that have not been finished
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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