back end

noun

variants or backend

ˈbak-ˌend 

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

Examples of back end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Royals have struggled to solidify the back end of the bullpen. —Kansas City Star, 6 June 2026

The San Jose Sharks, however, could lean toward the back end given the unbalanced nature of their current talent distribution. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 5 June 2026

But with an offensive bounce-back and strong pitching performances on the front and back end, the Dodgers evened the series at Chase Field. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

On the back end of the schedule, Angel City’s turnaround will have to come on the road. —Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for back end

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend