back burner

noun

: the condition of being out of active consideration or development
usually used in the phrase on the back burner
back-burner transitive verb

Examples of back burner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For some that would provide an environment where learning and pushing yourself to take risks would be put on the back burner. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025 Managing your brand’s reputation shouldn’t be put on the back burner because your brand's very survival might come down to its reputation. Jason Miller, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Muhammad was originally set to face Shavkat Rakhmonov in December, only for a foot infection to put that bout back onto the back burner. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 Kash Patel, Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, meanwhile, was put on the back burner by the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of Bondi. Al Weaver, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back burner

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back burner was in 1943

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Cite this Entry

“Back burner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20burner. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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