background

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noun

American English pronunciation: background

/ˈbækˌɡraʊnd/

singular	background
plural	backgrounds

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

1
[countable] the type of career, training, or education that someone has had
His musical background helps him a lot in his job.
background in:
We are looking for writers with a background in law.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
1. a.
  the type of culture, economic situation, or social status that someone comes from
  students from very different backgrounds
  The mayor's background is solidly middle class.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
Collocations: background
Collocations
background1
▪ blue-collar, cultural, disadvantaged, educational, ethnic, middle-class, privileged, religious, social
2
[singular/uncountable] the general situation in which something happens
background of:
The talks have been taking place against a background of increasing violence.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
1. a.
  information about what has happened in the past that helps you to understand the present situation
  Let me give you a little background about myself.
  background to:
  We need to know the background to the case.
  background information/knowledge/material:
  You'll need some background information on the local economy.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
3
[countable] the part of a picture or pattern that is behind the main people or things in it. The main person or thing is in the foreground
a red cross on a white background
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background

phrases

in the background
1. 1
  behind the main person or thing you are looking at
  a picture of palm trees with mountains in the background
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
2. 2
  a sound in the background can be heard in addition to the main thing you are listening to
  I could hear a TV in the background.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
3. 3
  in a place or situation in which people do not notice you
  Jo does the publicity work, while Ed stays pretty much in the background.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background
on background
American mainly journalism
if someone speaks to a reporter on background, they provide information that can be published but do not allow their name to be used
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of background

This is the American English definition of background. View British English definition of background.

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View the pronunciation for background.

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