Back`war*da"tion (&?;), n. [Backward, v. t. + -ation.] (Stock Exchange) The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares, with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to the latter; -- also, the premium so paid. See Contango. Biddle.

• the situation in a futures market where prices for future delivery are lower than prices for immediate (or nearer) delivery. Generally arising from a near-term shortage of a commodity.
        1991: gold has never gone into backwardation in any currency — Reginald H. Howe, The Golden Sextant
  
• (obsolete, London Stock Exchange) fee paid by a seller on settlement day either to the buyer or to a third party who lends stock, when the seller wishes to defer settlement until the next settlement day.