back catalog

noun

variants or back catalogue
: a collection of less recent works produced by a particular artist or group or owned by a particular company
If you've missed this remarkable guitarist or just want to own some of his back catalog on CD, Echoes is a flawlessly compiled record of a decade's worth of music.Parke Puterbaugh, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 1993
If there's a chip on my shoulder about being in a band for 24 years, it might be that you drag your entire back catalog with you with every record that you release.Michael Stipe, Spin, December 2004
Programming … will consist primarily of comedy and drama from the company's back catalogue and some acquisitions.Jeff Kaye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 1995

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back catalog was in 1934

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near back catalog

Cite this Entry

“Back catalog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20catalog. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!