background

Universal Words 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. * In spite of their very different backgrounds, they immediately became friends. 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's financial position? 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 compareFOREGROUND 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). compareFOREGROUND 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 see MERGE