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background Definition

back·ground (-gro̵und′)

noun

  1. the part of a scene or picture that is or seems to be toward the back
  2. surroundings, esp. those behind something and providing harmony or contrast; surface against which something is seen
  3. a less important or unobtrusive place or position to stay in the background
  4. the whole of one's study, training, and experience the right background for the job
    1. the circumstances or conditions surrounding something
    2. the events leading up to something
    3. information which will help to explain something
  6. music (in full background music) or sound effects used as a subordinated accompaniment to dialogue or action, as in movies
  7. any of various unwanted, interfering effects produced or registered by apparatus of various kinds, as static in radio or radiation due to cosmic rays

transitive verb

to provide a background for

background Synonyms

background

n.

  1. Setting

    backdrop, framework, environment; see setting.

  2. The total of one's experiences

    education, experience, training, qualifications, preparation, grounding, upbringing, rearing, credentials, accomplishments, achievements, attainments, acquirements, history, past; see also experience 3, knowledge 1.

in the background

unobtrusive, retiring, unseen, out of sight; see obscure 3, unnoticed, withdrawn.

background Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • explain: She explained the background to the AEBC liability group's work, including its current series of briefing discussions.
  • outline: These guidance notes outline the background to the audit assessment process Available on the website.
  • vary: He says the Lihu'e meetings are regularly attended by 40 to 50 people, all with varying backgrounds.
  • describe: Principles Methods and Practice - describes the background and development of the Wallingford Procedure.
  • provide: Its purpose is to provide a conceptual background for understanding the whole process.

Adjective modifier

  • ethnic: Our question concerning ethnic backgrounds revealed a wide variety of cultures, which reflects the diverse nature of the Boro of Camden.
  • diverse: Under these circumstances, the vignettes provided them with the opportunity to examine families of diverse backgrounds.
  • disadvantaged: This includes many people from disadvantaged backgrounds who the system has failed in the past.
  • historical: Also included is some historical background of baby showers for you entertainment.
  • cultural: The church had to quickly adjust to the cultural background of the day.
  • socio-economic: Their programs are aimed not only at the socially excluded but are places where young people from all socio-economic backgrounds are brought together.

Modifies a noun

  • noise: The louder the actual music, the more apparent the background noise will be.
  • color: Background color The color with which to fill the frame.
  • color: The source region is cleared to the current graphics background color.
  • radiation: One sees the imprint of these primordial fluctuations as small temperature perturbations in the cosmic microwave background radiation.
  • reading: It provides interesting background reading with respect to the two awards.
  • information: More background information can be found in the Headley Trust section of the Crafts Study Center's website.

Noun used with modifier

  • microwave: One sees the imprint of these primordial fluctuations as small temperature perturbations in the cosmic microwave background radiation.
  • minority: Participants will include youths, adults and key workers with ethnic minority backgrounds from groups, organizations and networks throughout Edinburgh.
  • engineering: Approximately 25 % of all candidates have a technical / engineering background.