back pointer

noun

A pointer that reciprocates another structure's pointer to its own containing structure, typically found in doubly linked lists and trees.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounback pointer (plural back pointers)

plural back pointers · alternative back-pointer · alternative backpointer

  1. computingA pointer that reciprocates another structure's pointer to its own containing structure, typically found in doubly linked lists and trees.

Origin

From back + pointer.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

back pointer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20pointer

MLA

“back pointer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20pointer. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “back pointer,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/back%20pointer.

Source: back pointer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.