Background: meaning, definitions and examples

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background

 

[ ˈbækɡraʊnd ]

Context #1 | Noun

in design

The area or scenery behind the main object or subject of focus, often used to create depth or enhance the visual appeal.

Synonyms

backdrop, environment, setting

Examples of usage

  • The photographer used a beautiful mountain background for the portrait.
  • The website design features a subtle gradient background to make the content stand out.
Context #2 | Noun

in history

The personal, educational, and professional experience that a person has had in the past, which contributes to their current knowledge and skills.

Synonyms

education, experience, history

Examples of usage

  • Her background in finance helped her secure the job.
  • He comes from a background of art history, which influences his paintings.
Context #3 | Noun

in technology

The information, activities, and processes that are not directly visible to the user, but are essential for the functioning of a software program or system.

Synonyms

behind the scenes, hidden operations, underlying processes

Examples of usage

  • The app runs various tasks in the background to update its content.
  • You can adjust the settings in the background of the application.

Translations

Translations of the word "background" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fundo

🇮🇳 पृष्ठभूमि (pṛṣṭhabhūmi)

🇩🇪 Hintergrund

🇮🇩 latar belakang

🇺🇦 тло

🇵🇱 tło

🇯🇵 背景 (はいけい, haikei)

🇫🇷 fond

🇪🇸 fondo

🇹🇷 arka plan

🇰🇷 배경 (baegyeong)

🇸🇦 خلفية (khalfia)

🇨🇿 pozadí

🇸🇰 pozadie

🇨🇳 背景 (bèijǐng)

🇸🇮 ozadje

🇮🇸 bakgrunnur

🇰🇿 фон

🇬🇪 ფონი (poni)

🇦🇿 fon

🇲🇽 fondo

Etymology

The word 'background' originated in the mid-17th century, combining 'back' and 'ground' to refer to the part of a picture or scene that appears furthest from the viewer. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various contexts, from design and history to technology. The concept of background has become essential in visual arts, personal development, and digital interfaces, highlighting its significance in different aspects of life.

See also: ground, groundbreaker, groundbreakers, groundbreaking, grounded, grounding, groundless, groundlessly, groundling, grounds, groundskeeper, groundskeeping, groundsman, groundwork, underground.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,834, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.