Dictionary
1background
noun, back·ground often attributive \ˈbak-ˌ(g)rau̇nd\
: the part of a scene or picture that is farthest from the viewer : the part of a scene that is behind a main figure or object in a painting, photograph, etc.
: a surface or color that is behind or around something (such as a printed design)
: a position that attracts little attention
Full Definition of BACKGROUND
1
a : the scenery or ground behind something b : the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground
2
: an inconspicuous position
3
a : the conditions that form the setting within which something is experienced b (1) : the circumstances or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development (2) : information essential to understanding of a problem or situation c : the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education
4
a : intrusive sound or radiation that interferes with received or recorded electronic signals b : a more or less steady level of noise above which the effect (as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus (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
— on background
: with the understanding that information offered for publication will not be attributed to a specific source <an official speaking on background>
See background defined for English-language learners
See background defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of BACKGROUND
1672
Synonym Discussion of BACKGROUND
background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs. background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development <the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots>. setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms <a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting>. environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development <the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents>. milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons <an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation>. mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect <a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène>.
Rhymes with BACKGROUND
abound, aground, around, astound, bloodhound, boozehound, brassbound, break ground, campground, chowhound, clothbound, come round, compound, confound, coonhound, deerhound, deskbound, dumbfound, earthbound, eastbound, elkhound, expound, fairground, fogbound, foot-pound, foreground, foxhound, gain ground, go-round, greyhound, half-bound, hardbound, hellhound, hidebound, high ground, homebound, horehound, housebound, icebound, impound, inbound, ironbound, lose ground, newfound, newshound, northbound, outbound, playground, pot-bound, profound, propound, rebound, redound, renowned, resound, rockbound, rock hound, scent hound, sight hound, sleuthhound, smooth hound, snowbound, softbound, southbound, spellbound, staghound, stone-ground, stormbound, strikebound, surround, to ground, top round, unbound, unround, unsound, well-found, westbound, wolfhound, year-round
2background
verb
Definition of BACKGROUND
transitive verb
: to provide with background
First Known Use of BACKGROUND
1768
BACKGROUND Defined for Kids
background
noun back·ground \ˈbak-ˌgrau̇nd\
Definition of BACKGROUND for Kids
1
: the scenery or ground that is behind a main figure or object <The sign had red letters printed on a white background.>
2
: a position that attracts little attention <He tried to keep in the background.>
3
: the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education <Before hiring me, the company wanted to check my background.>
Learn More About BACKGROUND
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: backgrounderPrevious Word in the Dictionary: back grayAll Words Near: background
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up background? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).