backlog

noun back·log \ ˈbak-ˌlȯg , -ˌläg \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Examples: backlog in a Sentence

Definition of backlog

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

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Examples of backlog in a Sentence

We have a huge backlog of orders to be filled.

Recent Examples of backlog from the Web

There are myriad reasons that contributed to the national rape kit backlog, experts say.

— meris lutz, ajc, "Rape kit backlog yields new leads in metro Atlanta cold cases," 1 June 2018
This contributes to the overwhelming backlog in the immigration courts, as one family case becomes two or three or four individual cases.

— michelle brané, Washington Post, "This is what’s really happening to kids at the border," 30 May 2018
This is problematic for a department that, as Zinke routinely reminds us, has a $12 billion maintenance backlog.

— jake bullinger, Outside Online, "NPS Report—Gasp!—Acknowledges Climate Change," 25 May 2018
Law enforcement bias also contributed to the backlog.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "With $1 million grant and DNA, DA's office hopes to bring closure to long-unsolved rapes," 18 May 2018
They are projected to increase entrance fee revenue by $60 million per year — one way the National Park Service is trying to address an $11.6 billion maintenance backlog.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "Here's how much you'll pay to visit our nearest national parks after fee hikes | Idaho Statesman," 16 May 2018
Analysts said the impact on Boeing would be modest thanks to a backlog of orders for 737 aircraft.

— steven mufson and damian paletta, chicagotribune.com, "Boeing, Airbus to lose deals with Trump's Iran sanctions," 9 May 2018
Analysts said the impact on Boeing would be modest thanks to a backlog of orders for 737 aircraft.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Boeing to lose deals with Trump's Iran sanctions," 8 May 2018
The high volume of visitors hasn’t helped maintenance crews; the parks now have a $12 billion maintenance backlog.

— megan barber, Curbed, "National parks generated $35 billion in 2017," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backlog.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of backlog

1684

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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backlog

verb

Definition of backlog

backlogged; backlogging; backlogs

: accumulate

First Known Use of backlog

1963

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of BACKLOG

backlog

noun

What It Is

Frequently used in manufacturing industries, backlog refers to unfinished work or to customer orders that have been received but are either incomplete or in the process of completion.

How It Works

Let's assume XYZ Company is able to manufacture 10,000 widgets per day. On Monday morning, the company receives an order for 50,000 widgets. Given the company's daily production capacity, XYZ Company will end Monday with a backlog of 40,000 widgets. If each widget sells for $1, XYZ Company would report a $40,000 backlog.

Backlogs are usually measured in dollars and generally occur when there is a shortage of labor or supplies. Building products to each customer's specifications may also lead to backlogs.

Why It Matters

Changes in a company's backlog may have profit implications. A rising backlog may indicate that a company is experiencing either increased sales or production problems; a falling backlog may indicate the company's sales are falling or that it is increasing production efficiency.

It is important to study a company's revenue recognition policies when evaluating backlog. Some companies may use the percentage-of-completion method, whereby a percentage of the anticipated revenue from the sale of the product is recognized according to the percentage of work complete on a specific product. If a company is not able to reasonably measure the costs and revenues attributable to different stages of the production process, it may use completed-contract accounting, whereby the revenue is recorded when the project is complete.

Source: Investing Answers