what does a backorder mean What does a backorder mean refers to a situation where an item ordered by a customer is temporarily out of stock, but will be shipped as soon as it becomes available. Backorders can happen due to high demand, supply chain disruptions, or delays in production. Retailers often provide customers with an estimated delivery time for backordered items and may offer alternative solutions such as partial shipments or refunds. Managing backorders effectively is important for maintaining customer satisfaction and ensuring that products are delivered as soon as possible.