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
5. 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