context

5 definitions • 6 examples

the situation within which something exists or happens, and that can help explain it:

in context It is important to see all the fighting and bloodshed in his plays in historical context.

in the context of This small battle is very important in the context of Scottish history.

the text or speech that comes immediately before and after a particular phrase or piece of text and helps to explain its meaning:

In this exercise, a word is blanked out and you have to guess what it is by looking at the context.

If words are used out of context, only a small separate part of what was originally said or written is reported, with the result that their meaning is not clear or is not understood:

The reporter took my remarks completely out of context.

the influences and events related to a particular event or situation:

a historical/literary context

He is willing to look for solutions in the context of changes to the health-care system.

the text or speech that comes immediately before and after a particular phrase or piece of text and that influence how it is used and what it means