26984 words

backgrounds

15 definitions • 29 examples
1
the things that can be seen behind the main things or people in a picture:

Examples:

in the background The little figure that you can just see in the background of the photograph is me.
The artist himself did not paint the backgrounds to his pictures - they were done by his pupils.
He has photographed her against lots of different backgrounds.
They were filmed against a background of dark fir trees.
The book's cover has white lettering on a blue background.
2
sounds that can be heard behind other sounds that are louder:

Examples:

background noise We couldn't hear what they were saying on the tape - there was too much background noise.
in the background If you listen carefully to this piece of music, you can hear a flute in the background.
3
the conditions that existed before a particular event happened, and that help to explain why it happened:

Examples:

These decisions have had to be made against a background of high unemployment.
4
information about something that helps people understand it :

Examples:

background on Can you give me some background on the situation?
The official website has a wealth of background on the history of the tournament.
5
If someone or something is in the background, they are not or it is not the main point of attention:

Examples:

He stayed in the background, but the others would do nothing without his approval.
fade into the background Her worries about her job have faded into the background since she learned about her father's illness.
6
your family and your experience of education, living conditions, money, etc.:

Examples:

have a background in She has a background in publishing, so she might be able to help you with your book.
The school has students from many different ethnic/cultural/religious backgrounds.
They come from a privileged/wealthy background.
7
used to refer to something that is done before, and in preparation for, something else:
8
things that appear to be farther away or behind what is nearer or in front, esp. in a picture:

Examples:

[ C ] He photographed the models against different backgrounds.
[ U ] With so much noise in the background, I couldn’t hear what she was saying.
[ C ] The city’s skyline was our background.
9
A background can also be whatever is happening around you but not involving you directly:

Examples:

Worry was always part of the background.
10
In a painting or a story, the background is the people and things that are less important and not the main subject.
11
the things that have made you into the person you are, esp. family, experience, and education:

Examples:

The school has students from many different backgrounds.
12
An event’s background is facts or history that help to explain how or why it happened:

Examples:

To understand the war, we need to consider its historical and political background.
13
the type of experience, training, education, etc. that a person has:
14
the set of conditions that existed before a particular event, or information about them which helps to explain the event:

Examples:

So Deborah, why don't you give us a little background on the situation?
15

Examples:

Keep your firewall and antivirus programs running in the background.

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