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
Examples of backlog in a Sentence
Noun
We have a huge backlog of orders to be filled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The funding and additional personnel are aimed at alleviating the growing case backlog, which is nearly 4 million cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backlog
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Noun
And even without further funding cuts or staff reductions, these backlogs may only continue to grow as millions of student loan borrowers are forced to change repayment plans during the next several years under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The funding and additional personnel are aimed at alleviating the growing case backlog, which is nearly 4 million cases.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
His court date was scheduled for 2027, a date far in the future because of the nation’s immigration courts backlog.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backlog
Cite this Entry
“Backlog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backlog. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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