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backlist

American

[bak-list] / ˈbækˌlɪst /

noun

the books that a publisher has kept in print over several years, as distinguished from newly issued titles.

adjective

Also backlisted. placed or maintained on a backlist.

verb (used with object)

to place on a backlist.

backlist British

/ ˈbækˌlɪst /

noun

a publisher's previously published books that are still available See also front list mid-list

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of backlist

First recorded in 1945–50; back ² + list ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

backlist

The revised name reflected their mission to publish new titles “at random” to complement the backlist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

On average, Open Road is able to double the sales of the backlist titles it promotes, Steinberger said.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2023

Because the backlist can be said to contain everything ever published, it is safe to say that most backlist titles probably aren’t worthy of your attention.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 27, 2023

He added that S&S has “never been more profitable and valuable than it is today” and possesses what is currently the bestselling backlist in the publishing industry.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2022

What was supposed to be a one-off new novel to revive sales of the backlist was such a hit that the publishers ordered up more – but the lawyers were worried.

From Salon ● Nov. 19, 2022

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023