English▸ noun
1 the part of a picture, scene, or design that forms a setting for the main figures or objects, or appears furthest from the viewer:
the house stands against a background of sheltering trees
the word is written in white on a red background.
▪ a less important or conspicuous position or function:
after that evening, she remained in the background.
▪ Computing used in reference to tasks or processes that do not need input from the user:
programs can be left running in the background.
▪ Physics low-intensity radiation from radioisotopes present in the natural environment.
▪ unwanted signals, such as noise in the reception or recording of sound.
2 the circumstances or situation prevailing at a particular time or underlying a particular event:
the political and economic background
[as modifier] background information.
▪ a person's education, experience, and social circumstances:
she has a background in nursing
her voice suggested a tenacious, working-class background.