background
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
backgrounds
plural
backgrounds
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACKGROUND
1
[count]
a
:
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.
-
Objects in the foreground are drawn larger than those in the background.
-
a photograph of a house with mountains in the background
-
The mountains provided a perfect background [=backdrop] for the wedding photos.
-
background scenery
b
:
a surface or color that is behind or around something (such as a printed design)
-
red letters printed on a white background
-
a background color
2
[singular]
a
:
a position that attracts little attention
-
He was a shy man who always tried to keep/stay in the background. [=tried to avoid attracting attention]
-
The war has pushed all other issues into the background. [=has made all other issues less important]
-
An ethnic conflict that was simmering away in the background finally erupted into civil war.
b
— used to describe something that occurs without requiring attention while something else is also occurring
-
The software was automatically updated in the background while we continued to work on the data.
c
— used to describe something that is heard while something else is being listened to
-
It was hard to enjoy the music because I could hear a dog barking in the background.
3
a
[count]
:
the events and conditions that help to explain why something happens
:
the situation in which something occurs
— usually singular
-
We learned about the social and economic background of the American Civil War.
-
The meetings took place against a background of increasing tension.
b
[noncount]
:
information needed to understand a problem or situation
— often used before another noun
-
Let me provide you with some background on this problem.
-
background information
4
[count]
:
the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person's past
— often used before another noun
-
What is your academic background?
-
We need to know more about his background before we hire him.
-
He and his wife come from similar social backgrounds. [=they were raised in similar social environments]
-
His writing is influenced by his ethnic background.
-
They ran a background check to make sure the job candidate had no criminal record.
