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
Examples of backlog in a Sentence
Noun
We have a huge backlog of orders to be filled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
3 July 2026
This indicates the Saudis are clearing a backlog of oil tankers that were unable to exit the Gulf during the conflict, the firm said.
—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
His court date was scheduled for 2027, a date far in the future because of the nation’s immigration courts backlog.
—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlog
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Noun
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has more than quadrupled in the past week as confidence rose that the US-Iran 60-day ceasefire would hold, though analysts warned the backlog could take weeks to clear.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
3 July 2026
This indicates the Saudis are clearing a backlog of oil tankers that were unable to exit the Gulf during the conflict, the firm said.
—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Verb
Many Transportation Security Administration officers have gone unpaid, creating massive security line backlogs at a few major airports, including in Houston.
—
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
His court date was scheduled for 2027, a date far in the future because of the nation’s immigration courts backlog.
—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlog
Cite this Entry
“Backlog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backlog. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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