backlog

noun back·log \ ˈbak-ˌlȯg , -ˌläg \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 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

Nonetheless, about 7% of CA’s revenue backlog as of March 31 was with government agencies in the U.S., according to the software company’s last annual report, and that could become a flashpoint for regulators.

— ted greenwald, WSJ, "Broadcom to Buy CA Technologies for $18.9 Billion," 11 July 2018
More than 100 ships are scheduled to be delivered during the next decade, Mathisen said, more than triple the size of the backlog four years ago.

— jon chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Lawmakers consider $100M in state funds to help expand capacity of Boston’s cruise terminal," 10 July 2018
Beshear, who was elected attorney general in 2016, has claimed elimination of the test backlog as a signature achievement of his time in office.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "Andy Beshear claims rape kit test backlog is fixed, but prosecutions still lag," 9 July 2018
The state’s backlog of unpaid bills ballooned last year to more than $16bn and the deficit depleted budget reserves.

— The Economist, "Bruce Rauner discovers bipartisanship," 5 July 2018
Yellowstone has more than a half-billion-dollar backlog.

— j. weston phippen, Outside Online, "The Terrible State of Our National Parks—in Photos," 5 July 2018
Immigration judges, whose ranks number roughly 350 at present, have an astounding backlog of 700,000 cases.

— david a. martin, Vox, "How to fix the crisis caused by Central American asylum seekers — humanely," 2 July 2018
But because of backlogs, hundreds of minors end up having to stay past the 72-hour limit.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Inside 3 Detention Centers Where Immigrant Children Are Kept From Their Parents," 18 June 2018
Benitez and the club are still only now getting to the end of the backlog from the required clear-out from that system.

— SI.com, "Jamaal Lascelles Will Be Subject to Big Money Bids This Summer, But Newcastle Simply Cannot Sell Him," 7 June 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