# backtracking

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbæk.tɹækɪŋ/ · frequency rank #49,772

## Definitions
1. The act of one who, or that which, backtracks; a retracing of one's steps.
2. The usage of a runway as a taxiway, especially at private strips and smaller airports.
3. The act of building all possible solutions to a problem incrementally, abandoning any candidate solution if it cannot lead to a valid solution.

## Easily confused with
- **backpacking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/backpacking-vs-backtracking)

## Common misspellings (20)
`abcktracking`, `baccktracking`, `backktracking`, `backrtacking`, `backtarcking`, `backtraccking`, `backtracikng`, `backtrackign`, `backtrackingg`, `backtrackinng`, `backtrackking`, `backtracknig`, `backtrakcing`, `backtrcaking`, `backtrracking`, `backttracking`, `bactkracking`, `bakctracking`, `bbacktracking`, `bcaktracking`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/backtracking