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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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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unobtrusive, retiring, unseen, out of sight; see obscure 3, unnoticed, withdrawn.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

Adjective modifier

  • ethnic: Our question concerning ethnic backgrounds revealed a wide variety of cultures, which reflects the diverse nature of the Boro of Camden.

Modifies a noun

  • noise: The louder the actual music, the more apparent the background noise will be.

Noun used with modifier

  • microwave: One sees the imprint of these primordial fluctuations as small temperature perturbations in the cosmic microwave background radiation.
background usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"background." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/background>

APA Style

background. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/background

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