Definition of background

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  • background is a valid Scrabble US word with a point value of 20
  • background is a valid Scrabble UK word with a point value of 20
  • background is a valid Words with friends word with a point value of 25

Definition of background

  • understate the importance or quality of (verb)

    Synonyms

    1. downplay
    2. play down
  • the part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground (noun)

    Examples

    1. he posed her against a background of rolling hills

    Synonyms

    1. ground
  • scenery hung at back of stage (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. backcloth
    2. backdrop
  • (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. desktop
    2. screen background
  • the state of the environment in which a situation exists (noun)

    Synonyms

    1. scope
    2. setting
  • information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem (noun)

    Examples

    1. the embassy filled him in on the background of the incident

    Synonyms

    1. background knowledge
  • extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured (noun)

    Examples

    1. they got a bad connection and could hardly hear one another over the background signals

    Synonyms

    1. background signal
  • a person's social heritage: previous experience or training (noun)

    Examples

    1. he is a lawyer with a sports background
  • relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation (noun)

    Examples

    1. when the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background

See definition of background in Merriam Webster