back end

1 of 2

noun

variants or backend
plural back ends or backends
1
usually back end : the back part or section of something : rear end sense 1
As he was leaving the pits, he lost control of the back end of his car and slid across the patch of grass that separates the pit road exit from the track.Mark Bechtel
Next, start washing your dog's back end and hindquarters, praising him all the while if he is nervous.petonbed.com
2
: the latter or final part or period of a business arrangement or financial undertaking
With the Roth IRA, you get your tax reward on the back end—you put in already taxed money, but withdrawals are tax free …Janet Novack
compare front end sense 3
3
usually backend computing : the part of a software system that is not usually visible or accessible to a user of that system
On Spotify, every song you listen to is categorized … on the backend of the streaming platform.Elena Cavender
It is compatible with almost all websites, thanks to the same backend that Google Chrome itself uses …J. C. Torres
The $2 billion plan calls for new cash registers and scanners in its stores and will improve systems on the back end to make sure stores are stocked properly.Megan Barnett
compare front end sense 2
4
dialectal British : the latter part of the year : the autumn and early winter
He bred no cattle, but bought in about 120 Irish beasts and Shorthorn stirks out of Westmorland and Cumberland in spring and at the back end of the year, and fed them out in the stalls.H. Rider Haggard

back-end

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly backend
1
: relating to, associated with, or occurring in the latter or final part or period of an undertaking or business arrangement
back-end logistics/operations/commissions
You need to know all the back-end fees when you go to turn in a lease, things like excess mileage that can really zing you.Ray Martin
Studio executives are taking desperate measures: slashing budgets and production output, finding partners for their blockbusters and cutting unprecedented "backend" deals to split revenues with top talent.Thomas Schatz
compare front-end sense 1
2
computing : not usually visible or accessible to the user of a device or service
the site's back-end software
The back-end system then processes the transaction and rings the vending machine, instructing it to dispense your order. The payment automatically shows up on your phone bill.Carol Levin
To meet consumer expectations, the backend technology powering day-to-day transactions has had to become more intelligent and interoperable.Danny Fields
Some developers already do have their own backend payment processes.William Gallagher
compare front-end sense 2

Examples of back end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Malaysia’s track record has been mostly in the back end of the semiconductor supply chain — which includes packing, assembling and testing components — activities that traditionally have been considered less complex and of lower value. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 DeSclafani was thought to be an option at the back end of Seattle’s rotation for the upcoming season. USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The staff had some long meetings early in the week in order to find a plan on the back end of the defense ahead of a pivotal matchup with the Raiders. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Jan. 2024 The Mojo is 1-4 early in their inaugural year in the Pro Volleyball Federation, and a good showing on the back end of their five-match homestand could go a long way toward turning the season around. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 Even artists who don’t even have their names on the back end of our episodes and our films. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 Newton falls to the back end of the first round for Middlehurst-Schwartz. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 Just don't stress, take your time and will get it back on the back end. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 7 Jan. 2024 But generative AI has a potentially more powerful role to play on the back end of customer service. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Shaw pounced after a firm pass got held up in a back-end bog instead of rolling to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, also of the Wave. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 These directories allow members to effortlessly locate healthcare providers within their network and rely on comprehensive back-end provider content. Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Full back-end chip manufacturing is unlikely ever to take place solely in the United States: the final chips would be too costly to be commercially viable. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Never mind the back-end systems where AI is used to improve operational efficiency. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2024 Phillips and Graterol are back as the back-end foundation. Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2024 Even the back-end options like Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas are players capable of making clutch catches. Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 With the surge in cloud adoption, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have evolved to seamlessly support both front- and back-end operations. Anise Madh, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Teachers might rely on AI for back-end administration, freeing up time to focus more on helping their students. Sanya Mansoor, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back end.' 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

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of back end was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near back end

Cite this Entry

“Back end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20end. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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