variants
or backend
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
Mark BechtelNext, start washing your dog's back end and hindquarters, praising him all the while if he is nervous.—petonbed.com
petonbed.com2
: 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
Janet Novack3
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
Elena CavenderIt is compatible with almost all websites, thanks to the same backend that Google Chrome itself uses …—J. C. Torres
J. C. TorresThe $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
Megan Barnett4
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
H. Rider Haggard
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
Ray MartinStudio 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
Thomas Schatz2
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
Carol LevinTo meet consumer expectations, the backend technology powering day-to-day transactions has had to become more intelligent and interoperable.—Danny Fields
Danny FieldsSome developers already do have their own backend payment processes.—William Gallagher
compare front-end sense 2
William GallagherExamples of back end in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebGlenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 20 June 2024
Three of the first five members of the class will play on the back end of the Broncos’ defense, including safeties Dominik Calhoun and Josiah Alanis.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2024
Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 June 2024
The Apple service will be able to access back-end code that TapeACall, as a third-party app, cannot.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for back end 
Noun
Ultimately, the changes on the back end are designed to improve the customer experience.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 20 June 2024
Three of the first five members of the class will play on the back end of the Broncos’ defense, including safeties Dominik Calhoun and Josiah Alanis.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2024
Adjective
Many of Meta’s AI tools are simply back-end processes and allow for more precision targeting of ads.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 June 2024
The Apple service will be able to access back-end code that TapeACall, as a third-party app, cannot.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for back end
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back end.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Back end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20end. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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