order backlog

USAGE SUMMARY

"order backlog" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to a backlog of orders (unfulfilled customer orders) that have piled up in your business. For example, "We have an extensive order backlog due to the recent surge in demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company reported an order backlog amounting to $315 billion.

The New York Times

But its order backlog in North America fell 12percentt.

The New York Times

It has an order backlog of 111 Airbus planes.

The New York Times

The company's order backlog ended 2017 at £41.2 billion.

The Times

Cisco's order backlog fell even more steeply in the previous year.

The New York Times

Boeing has said its order backlog has swollen to a record $349 billion in value.

The New York Times

Its order backlog (mostly civil jets) is now more than £60 billion ($97 billion).

The Economist

The order backlog extended 3 months, to as long as 18 months.

The New York Times

The order backlog extended by three months, to as long as 18 months.

The New York Times

"Their total order backlog is quite soft," said Mr. Toy of AlixPartners.

The New York Times

Bombardier's overall order backlog grew by 8percentto to 48.1 billion Canadian dollars ($34.2 billion).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's financial health, use "order backlog" to indicate future revenue potential based on existing orders.

Common error

Don't mistake "order backlog" for inventory. "Order backlog" represents unfulfilled customer orders, while inventory is the stock of goods available for immediate sale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order backlog" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the total value or quantity of orders a company has received but not yet fulfilled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and accepted term in business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "order backlog" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to the total value or quantity of unfulfilled customer orders. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a widely accepted term in business and finance. Its primary function is to convey information about a company's demand and future revenue prospects. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, formal business contexts, and, to a lesser extent, in scientific literature. Top authoritative sources using this term include The New York Times, The Economist, and Forbes. When using the term, be sure to distinguish it from "inventory", which refers to goods available for immediate sale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Backlog of orders

Slightly rephrased, emphasizing the 'backlog' nature.

Order book

A list of orders waiting to be fulfilled.

Unfilled orders

Focuses on the orders themselves rather than the cumulative amount.

Outstanding orders

Emphasizes that the orders are yet to be fulfilled.

Pending orders

Highlights the 'waiting' aspect of the orders.

Unshipped orders

Focuses on the fulfillment/shipping stage of the order.

Accumulated demand

Shifts the focus to the demand side rather than the orders.

Work in progress

Describes the stage of the orders not completed yet.

Sales pipeline

Broader term referring to potential future revenue from sales activities.

Demand exceeding capacity

Highlights the cause behind the backlog.

FAQs

How is "order backlog" typically used in business reporting?

In business, "order backlog" often indicates future revenue, reflecting the value of orders a company has yet to fulfill. A growing "order backlog" is generally seen as a positive sign.

What factors might contribute to a growing "order backlog"?

Increased demand, supply chain disruptions, production bottlenecks, and labor shortages can all lead to a growing "order backlog".

What are some alternatives to describing a large "order backlog"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "unfilled orders", "backlog of orders", or "outstanding orders".

How does "order backlog" differ from "sales pipeline"?

"Order backlog" represents confirmed orders already received, whereas "sales pipeline" refers to potential future sales opportunities that are still in the process of being secured.