background

1 of 2

noun

back·​ground ˈbak-ˌ(g)rau̇nd 

often attributive

1

a

: the scenery or ground behind something

a picture of her son with mountains in the background

background scenery for the play

b

art : the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground

dark shadows in the background of the painting

c

: an image that displays on a computer screen underneath the various available icons and windows

using a family photograph as her computer background

2

: an inconspicuous position

shy people who try to stay in the background

3

a

: the conditions that form the setting within which something is experienced

… set in a background of tropical luxuriance.

—Tom Marvel

b(1)

: the circumstances or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development

the economic background of the American Civil War

took place against a background of increasing tension

(2)

: information essential to understanding of a problem or situation

background information

c

: the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education

comparing the candidates' backgrounds

ran a background check to make sure she had no criminal record

4

a

: intrusive sound or radiation (see radiation sense 2b) that interferes with received or recorded electronic signals

a recording with a lot of background noise

b

physics : a more or less steady level of noise above which the effect (such as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus (such as a Geiger counter) is detected

especially : a somewhat steady level of radiation in the natural environment (as from cosmic rays)

5

: a level of computer processing at which the processor uses time not required for a primary task to work on an additional task compare foreground entry 1

background

2 of 2

verb

backgrounded; backgrounding; backgrounds

transitive verb

1

: to provide with background

… a richly backgrounded study of a silent movie star …

—Hollis Alpert

2

: to give less attention or emphasis to (something) : to place (something) in the background

Graham peoples her novel with genuine, endearing characters and keeps the grisly murders tactfully backgrounded …

—Publishers Weekly Reviews

Phrases

on background

: with the understanding that information offered for publication will not be attributed to a specific source

an official speaking on background

Synonyms

Noun

• backdrop
• ground

Choose the Right Synonym for background

background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs.

background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development.

the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots

setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms.

a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting

environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development.

the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents

milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons.

an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation

mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect.

a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène

Examples of background in a Sentence

Noun

Objects in the foreground are drawn larger than those in the background.

a photograph of a house with mountains in the background

red letters printed on a white background

An ethnic conflict that was simmering away in the background finally erupted into civil war.

Let me provide you with some background on this problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other panel members shared stories of their own immigrant families or suggested all New Yorkers should care about the issue, regardless of their backgrounds. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025

More politics news: Senators on both sides of the aisle raised new questions about the vetting process of defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth after lawmakers learned of new allegations not disclosed by the Trump transition team as part of his FBI background check. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

The awful crack of a whip, obscured by a mind-melting roar, backgrounds a litany of black-and-white photographs, of young men who were tortured at the Dozier School. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024

The indictment alleged Whiting obtained county records to background his wife's competitor, Fernando Madrid. —Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing background

• background music
• background noise
• background radiation
• cosmic background radiation
• cosmic microwave background
• in the background
• into the background

Kids Definition

background

noun

back·​ground

ˈbak-ˌgrau̇nd

1

: the scenery or ground that is behind a main figure or object (as in a painting)

2

: a position that attracts little attention

always tries to keep in the background

3

a

: the setting within which something takes place

b

: the events leading up to a situation

c

: information needed to understand a problem or situation

d

: the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education

4

a

: a somewhat steady level of radiation in the natural environment (as from cosmic rays or radio activity)

b

: undesired sound that is heard in a system (as in radio or a tape recording) that produces sound from other sources