backdrop

5 definitions • 4 examples

a large piece of cloth with buildings, countryside, etc. painted on it, hung at the back of a stage during a performance

the view behind something:

The mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the little village.

the general situation in which particular events happen:

Their love affair began against a backdrop of war.

the things that can be seen behind something:

An impressive rocky coastline with a backdrop of green hills continues southward.

A backdrop to an event is a situation that already exists and that influences the event:

Today we work against the backdrop of an industry in the midst of change.