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

The Frankfurt-listed company, which published preliminary results earlier this week, said its order backlog increased 31% to around 73 billion euros at the end of March.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Analysts had forecast orders of 8.08 billion euros, revenue of 4.45 billion euros, and a backlog of 50.31 billion euros, according to consensus estimates compiled by Visible Alpha.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

During a call with analysts, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said AWS has a $364 billion backlog, excluding a recent $100 billion deal with the AI lab Anthropic.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

On the revenue side, investors’ questions about Google will now center on the sustainability of search growth and how quickly the company can turn the cloud backlog into revenue.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

I checked my e-mail, reading the backlog of letters from my mother, getting snippier as they progressed to the present.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Related Words

• inventory
• stockpile