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
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
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
backgrounded; backgrounding; backgrounds
1
: to provide with background
… a richly backgrounded study of a silent movie star …—Hollis Alpert
Hollis Alpert2
: 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
Publishers Weekly ReviewsSynonyms
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 WebThe Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
The 5th Circuit struck down a 2022 ATF regulation determining the sale of weapons kits requires a background check and serialization of the parts for law enforcement tracking.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Ghost guns are often made from kits or purchased without a background check.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
The worker must also not be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, and carrying a handgun under the laws of Tennessee or federal law as determined by a background check.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2024
The application process requires a lengthy background check, which adds another challenge to staffing up, officials say.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The eight-episode series follows the life of Álvaro, played by Guevara, a young seventeen year old from an affluent background whose life spirals after an accident finds himself in a juvenile detention center.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
The only requirements for a chaplain to participate would be passing a background check and having their name and religious affiliation listed on the school website.
—Brendan Farrington, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Subsequently, a background casting agency working on the crime comedy decided it was done — and quit.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
Not so passive are the Malagasy, restlessly reaching for their imminent independence, and backgrounded in the film until Miangaly seizes narrative focus in a denouement that centers her people’s revolution.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024
Hoffman argued several of the governor’s proposals for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, such as backgrounding teachers for criminal backgrounds, are already in place.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
They’re nicely backgrounded by a dark, withholding set, designed by Dane Laffrey.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum, through the contest, gives young people of all faiths and backgrounds a platform to speak out in support of inclusion and diversity.
—cleveland, 15 Sep. 2023
As a result, the thoroughness with which athletes are backgrounded today depends heavily on which school is recruiting them.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 13 July 2023
And maybe caught up in your own nostalgia too: The runaway train that backgrounds the first of Indy’s many high-speed melees also means to transport us swiftly and fondly down memory lane.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2023
In addition to background audio and mixed-reality content capture.
—Joe Wituschek, BGR, 3 Dec. 2022
Noun
The state does not require background checks or permits to purchase a firearm from a private dealer.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
The 5th Circuit struck down a 2022 ATF regulation determining the sale of weapons kits requires a background check and serialization of the parts for law enforcement tracking.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024
Ghost guns are often made from kits or purchased without a background check.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
The worker must also not be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, and carrying a handgun under the laws of Tennessee or federal law as determined by a background check.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2024
The application process requires a lengthy background check, which adds another challenge to staffing up, officials say.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The eight-episode series follows the life of Álvaro, played by Guevara, a young seventeen year old from an affluent background whose life spirals after an accident finds himself in a juvenile detention center.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024
The only requirements for a chaplain to participate would be passing a background check and having their name and religious affiliation listed on the school website.
—Brendan Farrington, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Subsequently, a background casting agency working on the crime comedy decided it was done — and quit.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
The music is the result of cross-culture dialogue: traditional Shona melodies, backgrounded by then contemporary rock grooves.
—The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2024
Not so passive are the Malagasy, restlessly reaching for their imminent independence, and backgrounded in the film until Miangaly seizes narrative focus in a denouement that centers her people’s revolution.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024
Hoffman argued several of the governor’s proposals for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, such as backgrounding teachers for criminal backgrounds, are already in place.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Jan. 2024
They’re nicely backgrounded by a dark, withholding set, designed by Dane Laffrey.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023
Rooted in the Jewish value of respect for all humanity, the Maltz Museum, through the contest, gives young people of all faiths and backgrounds a platform to speak out in support of inclusion and diversity.
—cleveland, 15 Sep. 2023
As a result, the thoroughness with which athletes are backgrounded today depends heavily on which school is recruiting them.
—Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 13 July 2023
And maybe caught up in your own nostalgia too: The runaway train that backgrounds the first of Indy’s many high-speed melees also means to transport us swiftly and fondly down memory lane.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2023
In addition to background audio and mixed-reality content capture.
—Joe Wituschek, BGR, 3 Dec. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'background.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near background
Cite this Entry
“Background.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/background. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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