back end

1 of 2

noun

variants or backend

ˈbak-ˌend 

plural back ends or backends

1

usually back end : the back part or section of something : rear end sense 1

As he was leaving the pits, he lost control of the back end of his car and slid across the patch of grass that separates the pit road exit from the track.

—Mark Bechtel

Next, start washing your dog's back end and hindquarters, praising him all the while if he is nervous.

—petonbed.com

2

: the latter or final part or period of a business arrangement or financial undertaking

With the Roth IRA, you get your tax reward on the back end—you put in already taxed money, but withdrawals are tax free …

—Janet Novack

compare front end sense 3

3

usually backend computing : the part of a software system that is not usually visible or accessible to a user of that system

On Spotify, every song you listen to is categorized … on the backend of the streaming platform.

—Elena Cavender

It is compatible with almost all websites, thanks to the same backend that Google Chrome itself uses …

—J. C. Torres

The $2 billion plan calls for new cash registers and scanners in its stores and will improve systems on the back end to make sure stores are stocked properly.

—Megan Barnett

compare front end sense 2

4

dialectal British : the latter part of the year : the autumn and early winter

He bred no cattle, but bought in about 120 Irish beasts and Shorthorn stirks out of Westmorland and Cumberland in spring and at the back end of the year, and fed them out in the stalls.

—H. Rider Haggard

back-end

2 of 2

adjective

ˈbak-ˌend 

variants or less commonly backend

1

: relating to, associated with, or occurring in the latter or final part or period of an undertaking or business arrangement

back-end logistics/operations/commissions

You need to know all the back-end fees when you go to turn in a lease, things like excess mileage that can really zing you.

—Ray Martin

Studio executives are taking desperate measures: slashing budgets and production output, finding partners for their blockbusters and cutting unprecedented "backend" deals to split revenues with top talent.

—Thomas Schatz

compare front-end sense 1

2

computing : not usually visible or accessible to the user of a device or service

the site's back-end software

The back-end system then processes the transaction and rings the vending machine, instructing it to dispense your order. The payment automatically shows up on your phone bill.

—Carol Levin

To meet consumer expectations, the backend technology powering day-to-day transactions has had to become more intelligent and interoperable.

—Danny Fields

Some developers already do have their own backend payment processes.

—William Gallagher

compare front-end sense 2

Examples of back end in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With Jevon Holland set to test free agency and Jordan Poyer not expected back, the Dolphins have two very glaring holes on the back end. —C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025

Butler and Green especially wreaked havoc, communicating and blowing up Charlotte actions on the back end. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Actors were credited for all compensation on projects in the year they were released, despite the fact that often up front fees are paid when a movie is filmed, which could be years in the past, and back-end participation or buyouts are often paid several years into the future. —Matt Craig, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Santillan is out of options, and this is his best chance to start the season with the Reds and establish himself as a back-end bullpen piece. —C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for back end

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend