back-or·der
ˈbak-ˌȯr-dər 
back-ordered; back-ordering; back-orders
: to assign to the status of back order
: a business order yet to be fulfilled because stock is unavailable
Examples of back-order in a Sentence
Noun
The book I want to buy is a back order and won't be shipped for three weeks.
The book I want to buy is on back order and won't be shipped for three weeks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
The back-order list for Yohei Fukuda’s shoes is so long, the atelier has stopped accepting bespoke-shoe orders from new clients.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Sean O'Neill, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The new planes on back order are the last version of the famed widebody, the Boeing 747-8i.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-order
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Construction delays and material back-orders pushed that to 2025, but as of May 21, there was a lot of work left to do.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
The back-order list for Yohei Fukuda’s shoes is so long, the atelier has stopped accepting bespoke-shoe orders from new clients.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
The system monitors refill thresholds, tracks shipment delays and alerts planners when potential back orders or stockouts are likely.
—Sean O'Neill, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The new planes on back order are the last version of the famed widebody, the Boeing 747-8i.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-order
Cite this Entry
“Back-order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-order. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share