Definition of 'background'

Word Frequency

background

(bækgraʊnd )

Word forms: plural backgrounds

1. countable noun [usually singular]

Your background is the kind of family you come from and the kind of education you have had. It can also refer to such things as your social and racial origins, your financial status, or the type of work experience that you have.

She came from a working-class background.

His background was in engineering.

Synonyms: experience, grounding, education, preparation More Synonyms of background

2. countable noun [usually singular, oft against N]

The background to an event or situation consists of the facts that explain what caused it.

The background to the current troubles is provided by the dire state of the country's economy.

The meeting takes place against a background of continuing political violence.

...background information.

Synonyms: circumstances, history, conditions, situation More Synonyms of background

3. singular noun

The background is sounds, such as music, which you can hear but which you are not listening to with your full attention.

I kept hearing the sound of applause in the background.

...police sirens wailing in the background.

The background music was provided by an accordion player.

4. countable noun [usually singular]

You can use background to refer to the things in a picture or scene that are less noticeable or important than the main things or people in it.

...roses patterned on a blue background.

Paint the background tones lighter and the colours cooler.

in the background

More Synonyms of background

Video: pronunciation of 'background'

Word Frequency

background in British

(ˈbækˌɡraʊnd )

noun

the part of a scene or view furthest from the viewer

an inconspicuous or unobtrusive position (esp in the phrase in the background)

(as modifier)

a background influence

3. art

the plane or ground in a picture upon which all other planes or forms appear superimposed

the parts of a picture that appear most distant

Compare foreground (sense 2), middle-distance (sense 2)

a person's social class, education, training, or experience

the social, historical, or technical circumstances that lead up to or help to explain something

the background to the French Revolution

(as modifier)

background information

a low level of sound, lighting, etc, whose purpose is to be an unobtrusive or appropriate accompaniment to something else, such as a social activity, conversation, or the action of a film

(as modifier)

background music

7. Also called: background radiation physics

low-intensity radiation as, for example, from small amounts of radioisotopes in soil, air, building materials, etc

8. electronics

unwanted effects, such as noise, occurring in a measuring instrument, electronic device, etc

(as modifier)

background interference

Word Frequency

background in American

(ˈbækˌgraʊnd ; bakˈgroundˌ)

noun

the part of a scene or picture that is or seems to be toward the back

surroundings, esp. those behind something and providing harmony or contrast; surface against which something is seen

a less important or unobtrusive place or position

to stay in the background

the whole of one's study, training, and experience

the right background for the job

the circumstances or conditions surrounding something

the events leading up to something

information which will help to explain something

music (in full background music) or sound effects used as a subordinated accompaniment to dialogue or action, as in movies

any of various unwanted, interfering effects produced or registered by apparatus of various kinds, as static in radio or radiation due to cosmic rays

verb transitive

to provide a background for

Example sentences containing 'background'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

It means more opportunities for young people to mix with those from different backgrounds. The Sun (2016)This could be to distinguish the signals from the background noise of space. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Were you teased because of your poor background? Times, Sunday Times (2016)It can also reflect the background to a bout. Times, Sunday Times (2016)He wanted to stay in the background, taking pictures unnoticed. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They also had a lot of players from African backgrounds. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Yet both sailed through the application process, despite warnings that we would undergo criminal background checks. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The initials are underneath an image of the EU flag, comprising of a dozen yellow stars on a blue background. The Sun (2017)You sound like a background singer for a background singer. The Sun (2010)Some of the contestants from a variety of countries and backgrounds are pictured on the right. The Sun (2012)We just come from different dancing backgrounds. The Sun (2008)The bursary structure is also straightforward and generous to those from poorer backgrounds. Times, Sunday Times (2006)There are also strict background checks on employees. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The project aimed to show that doctors can be recruited from a more diverse social background. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Churches need to check the backgrounds of volunteers as well as employees. Christianity Today (2000)His choice depicts the silver fern on a blue and red background. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The volume on the background music was increased. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Yet for most people there is little understanding about the motivation or historical background of these fanatics. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Those with no family background of college education were put off by myths and rumours. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Why has the concept flourished that your class and background determine what you like? Times, Sunday Times (2014)He was proud of his background in motion pictures. Chancellor, John Peril and Promise: A Commentary on America (1990)It results in a rich mix of students from various backgrounds with different experiences of education. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The sounds of my body were so loud that the war was almost like background noise. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Students from poorer backgrounds are now more likely to begin uni courses. The Sun (2015)Students from poorer backgrounds were also more likely to drop out. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The differences of period were at least as important as those of social background. The Times Literary Supplement (2014)But the plan was cancelled partly because a technical fault that marred the sound with a background hum. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Another big audio crime is turning up your MP3 player to overcome background hubbub. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Background checks are carried out on each contestant, in line with industry practice. The Sun (2012)Although the country's budget surplus will be welcomed, the shrinkage of the economy against a background of growth in the wider currency union highlighted its continuing problems. Times, Sunday Times (2015)