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Added 7 October 2026

background

/ˈbæk.(ɡ)ɹaʊnd/ adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about background at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
background noise

noun

One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
The lawyer had a background in computer science.
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
An extra who appears in the background, with no speaking role.

verb

To place in the background.
To put in a position that is not prominent.
To gather and provide background information (on).

verb

simple past and past participle of backgrind

Origin

From back + ground. Compare backstory.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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