Meaning of background In English

• 0 the things that can be seen behind the main things or people in a picture:

  • The artist himself did not paint the backgrounds to his pictures - they were done by his pupils.

  • He has photographed her against lots of different backgrounds.

  • They were filmed against a background of dark fir trees.

  • The book's cover has white lettering on a blue background.

  • The little figure that you can just see in the background of the photograph is me.

• 1 sounds that can be heard behind other sounds that are louder:

  • If you listen carefully to this piece of music, you can hear a flute in the background.

  • We couldn't hear what they were saying on the tape - there was too much background noise.

• 2 the conditions that existed before a particular event happened, and that help to explain why it happened:

  • These decisions have had to be made against a background of high unemployment.

  • Can you give me some background on (= information about the conditions that existed before) the situation?

  • Her worries about her job have faded into the background since she learned about her father's illness.

• 3 your family and your experience of education, living conditions, money, etc.:

  • The school has students from many different ethnic/cultural/religious backgrounds.

  • They come from a privileged/wealthy background.

  • a background in publishing

• 4 used to refer to something that is done before, and in preparation for, something else:

  • Students are expected to do some background reading before the course starts.

  • The book provides background information on the history of the region.

• 5 things that appear to be farther away or behind what is nearer or in front, esp. in a picture:

  • [ C ] He photographed the models against different backgrounds.

  • [ U ] With so much noise in the background, I couldn’t hear what she was saying.

  • [ C ] The city’s skyline was our background.

  • Worry was always part of the background.

• 6 the things that have made you into the person you are, esp. family, experience, and education:

  • The school has students from many different backgrounds.

  • To understand the war, we need to consider its historical and political background.

• 7 the type of experience, training, education, etc. that a person has:

  • We have applicants from many different types of background.

  • As well as a sound background in economics and statistics, the candidate must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.

  • educational/professional background

  • economics/science, etc. background Applicants must have a strong engineering background.

• 8 the set of conditions that existed before a particular event, or information about them which helps to explain the event:

  • So Deborah, why don't you give us a little background on the situation?

• 9 a computer feature that allows processes to continue without interrupting the user:

  • Keep your firewall and antivirus programs running in the background.