/ ˈbækgraʊnd; NAmE / noun
FAMILY / EDUCATION, etc.
1.
[ C ] the details of a person's family, education, experience etc. :
a person's family / social / cultural / educational / class background
The job would suit someone with a business background.
PAST
2.
[ C , usually sing. , U ] the circumstances or past events which help explain why sth is how it is; information about these :
the historical background to the war
background information / knowledge
The elections are taking place against a background of violence.
Can you give me more background on the company?
OF PICTURE / PHOTO
3.
[ C , usually sing. ] the part of a picture, photograph or view behind the main objects, people, etc. :
a photograph with trees in the background
—compare foreground ➡ note at environment
LESS IMPORTANT POSITION
4.
[ sing. ] a position in which people are not paying attention to sb/sth or not as much attention as they are paying to sb/sth else :
He prefers to remain in the background and let his assistant talk to the press.
A piano tinkled gently in the background .
background music
There was a lot of background noise (= that you could hear, but were not listening to) .
—compare foreground
COLOUR UNDER STH
5.
[ C , usually sing. ] a colour or design on which sth is painted, drawn, etc. :
The name of the company is written in red on a white background.
•
IDIOMS
- in the background
—more at merge