background

[bak-ground] / ˈbækˌgraʊnd /

NOUN

experience or circumstances

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backdrop culture education environment history practice qualification tradition training upbringing

STRONG

accomplishments acquirement actions atmosphere attainment aura breeding capacity credentials cultivation deeds framework grounding preparation rearing seasoning

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignorance

WEAK

foreground

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the same time, it naturally rejects background noise that affects both locations equally.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

The firm handles everything from background checks on dog walkers to paying bills tied to homes and yachts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

A single supermassive black hole can dramatically magnify a background star, but only when the alignment is almost perfect.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

So while some of the show’s characters met untimely or tragic ends, Maddy came through the other side as someone more powerful: a Latina who didn’t fade into the background but, instead, commanded our attention.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The Ancient Shark lurked in the background as the attack unfolded.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

Vocabulary lists containing background

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)

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Close Reading: The Art and Craft of Rhetorical Analysis (Chapter 2)

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