1.NounA list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.
2.NounExpected to achieve years of adequate sales while on a backlist, and to be profitable on that basis, even if predicted not to sell in huge numbers when new.
"The celebrity tell-all has been proposed as a frontlist title, whereas the cookbook has been proposed as a backlist title and the food history book as a midlist title."
3.VerbTo hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.
"I have not heard back from the college yet: I must have been backlisted."