backpressure
n.n. the force or pressure that pushes back against a flow of liquid, gas, or data. In technology, it happens when a system receives more information than it can handle, so it tells the sender to slow down.
n. the resistance or opposing force exerted against the forward flow of a fluid or signal through a conduit or system. In software engineering, it refers to a mechanism where a downstream system signals an upstream producer to reduce its data rate to prevent buffer overflow.
The clogged pipe created too much backpressure for the pump.
When the database became overloaded, the system applied backpressure to the web server to prevent a total crash.
Engineers must carefully calibrate the exhaust system to minimize backpressure, as excessive resistance can significantly reduce the engine's overall power output and fuel efficiency.
A compound formed from the adverb back and the noun pressure. The term originated in nineteenth-century mechanical engineering to describe the resistance opposing the stroke of a piston in a steam engine.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used in mechanical engineering and reactive programming contexts.
Last updated July 22, 2026