Meaning & use
backlogging
Last updated
“backlogging” is a form of “backlog”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbtransitive or intransitive
allowing work or orders to pile up faster than they can be dealt with
Grammar: Can take an object (backlogging orders) or be used without one (orders are backlogging).
Patterns
- backlogging orders
- backlogging work
- keep backlogging something
The factory is backlogging orders because of the staff shortage.
By backlogging repairs, the company made customers wait for weeks.
They risk backlogging support tickets if they don't hire more agents.
Word forms
| base form | backlog |
|---|---|
| third person singular | backlogs |
| past tense | backlogged |
| past participle | backlogged |
Common combinations
- backlogging orders
- The warehouse is backlogging orders again this month.
- backlogging work
- Managers were criticized for backlogging work instead of solving the problem.
- keep backlogging something
- If you keep backlogging requests, clients will go elsewhere.
Synonyms and how they differ
- accumulating
- Accumulating is more neutral and simply means building up, while backlogging suggests a problem that needs fixing.
- piling up
- Piling up is informal and often describes things, not work: emails pile up.
Opposites
Word family
- backlog noun
- A pile of work or orders that has not yet been done.
- backlogged adjective
- Describing work that has built up and is waiting to be handled.
Commonly confused: backlogging or blocking?
backlogging vs blocking
Blocking means stopping something from moving forward; backlogging means letting it pile up behind you.
Practice
Which sentence uses backlogging correctly?
Choose one answer.
Backlogging means letting work pile up faster than it can be handled, so orders piling up because of high demand fits. The other options describe improving, speeding up, or shortening something, which is the opposite idea.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “backlogging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.