Standard Lemma guide

backdate

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /bækˈdeɪt/
  • US: /ˈbæk.deɪt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -eɪt
  • CMU ARPABET: B AE1 K D EY2 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An assigned date that is earlier than the current or true date.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To give or assign a date to a document that is earlier than the current or true date.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: antedate

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

make effective from an earlier date

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The increase in tax was backdated to January

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: effect

History

Etymology

From back + date.