background

noun

A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.

One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.

Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.

A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).

(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).

(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.

(film) An extra who appears in the background, with no speaking role.

(physics) Ellipsis of background radiation. [Ionizing radiation that is naturally present in the environment.]

verb

(transitive) To place in the background.

(transitive, figurative) To put in a position that is not prominent.

(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).

(transitive) To increase the weight and immunity of (a calf) by feeding with forage and grains, as an intermediate stage in cattle production, between weaning and placement in a feedlot.

adjective

Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.

Synonyms for background

backdropn settingn

Words related to background

backclothn foregroundn figurantadj surprintn backstoryadj profilen desktopn adminicle contextn closeupn

Synonyms & related words for background

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of background — including backdrop, setting. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to background

Explore words related to background — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include backcloth, foreground, figurant, surprint, backstory, profile, desktop, adminicle. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for background

Common synonyms for background include backdrop, setting — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.