Meaning & Definition of Background in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The part of a scene that lies behind the main subject.

  Example Sentence: The mountains provided a stunning background for the wedding photos.

• Definition: A person's education, experience, and social circumstances.

  Example Sentence: His background as a teacher influenced his approach to coaching.

• Definition: The context or situation in which something occurs.

  Example Sentence: The background to the story was crucial for understanding the characters' motivations.

• Definition: A subordinate position or status.

  Example Sentence: She prefers to work in the background rather than being in the spotlight.

• Definition: In computing, the operation of a program that runs without user interaction.

  Example Sentence: The software updates were running in the background while I continued to work.

Etymology

Origin: From Middle English 'bakground' (bake + ground), combining 'back' and 'ground'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• behind the scenes: In a concealed or private manner, often referring to operations that are not visible to the public.
• background check: A review of a person's history, often used in hiring processes.
• in the background: Something that is not the main focus or is obscured by other elements.

Translations

• Spanish: fondo

• French: arrière-plan

• German: Hintergrund

• Russian: фон

Related Words

• foreground: The part of a scene that is nearest to the viewer.

• scenery: The natural features of a landscape considered in terms of their appearance.

• context: The circumstances or facts that surround a particular event or situation.

Slang Meanings of background

• Meaning: To be in the background means to remain unnoticed or out of the spotlight.

  Example Sentence: She prefers to be in the background during meetings, letting others take the lead.

• Meaning: Having a background check refers to a personal history verification.

  Example Sentence: I had to pass a background check before getting the job.