backlog

American  

[bak-lawg, -log] / ˈbækˌlɔg, -ˌlɒg /

noun

1. a reserve or accumulation, as of stock, work, or business.

   a backlog of business orders.

   Synonyms:

   reservoir, cache, fund, store, stock, supply

2. a large log at the back of a hearth to keep up a fire.

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verb (used with object)

backlogged, backlogging

1. to hold in reserve, as for future handling or repair.

2. to enter and acknowledge (an order) for future shipment.

verb (used without object)

backlogged, backlogging

1. to accumulate in a backlog.

   Orders are starting to backlog faster than we can process them.

backlog British  

/ ˈbækˌlɒɡ /

noun

1. an accumulation of uncompleted work, unsold stock, etc, to be dealt with

2. a large log at the back of a fireplace

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Etymology

Origin of backlog

First recorded in 1675–85; back ¹ + log ¹

Explanation

When you have extra work to do that keeps accumulating, you have a backlog. Sometimes people stay late at their jobs to take care of a backlog. A backlog of tasks might slow down an ordinary day at an office or store, or require workers to come in on the weekend to catch up. In 1680, a backlog meant "a large log placed at the back of a fireplace," and by the 1880s it came to also mean "something stored for later use." It wasn't until the early 20th century that a backlog most often referred to "extra unfulfilled orders."

Example Sentences

Aevex’s funded order backlog more than doubled to $503.1 million at the end of last year from $179.2 million in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Insatiable demand for compute has boosted CoreWeave’s revenue backlog and sent the stock up 66% since the beginning of the year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The group disclosed its quarterly orders in January for the last time and will from now on provide its total backlog on an annual basis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

With a backlog of wind farms waiting for connections, though, a lot of these network costs are already baked in.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

By 1997, the repair backlog for the national parks had reached $6 billion.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• inventory
• stockpile