backgroundback‧ground /ˈbækɡraʊnd/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 
Students with a background in chemistry will probably find the course easier. It’s important to understand other people, people from different backgrounds. Do you know anything about his background?2[countable, uncountable] the situation or past events that explain why something happens in the way that it doesbackground to Without knowing the background to the case, I couldn’t possibly comment.against a background of something The peace talks are being held against a background of increasing violence.background information/details/data etc The author included a new chapter of background material for the second edition of the book.3[countable usually singular] the area that is behind the main thing that you are looking at, especially in a picture: The background looks out of focus.in the background In the background, you can see my college friends.4[countable] the pattern or colour on top of which something has been drawn, printed etc: red lettering on a white background5in the background someone who keeps or stays in the background tries not to be noticed: The president’s advisors are content to remain in the background.6[countable, uncountable] the sounds that you can hear apart from the main thing that you are listening toin the background In the background, I could hear the sound of traffic. All of the background noise made it difficult to have a phone conversation.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesfamily background· Many kids lack a stable family background.social background· Universities aim to attract students from varied social backgrounds.cultural background· Some of his attitudes were due to his cultural background.ethnic background· We do not discriminate against people because of their ethnic background or gender.class background· Class background is an important factor in the level of schooling achieved.socio-economic background· Smokers often come from poorer socio-economic backgrounds.educational/academic background· The interviewer will ask you about your educational background and work experience.· Postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.professional background· Managers can come from a wide range of professional backgrounds.a working-class/middle-class background· I came from a very poor working-class background.a deprived/disadvantaged background· The school has a high percentage of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.a poor background· His poor background prevented him from going to medical college.a privileged/wealthy background· All the top jobs were taken by people from privileged backgrounds.verbshave a background (in something)· We are looking for someone who has a background in science.come from a background· Mark and I came from very similar backgrounds.phrasesa range of backgrounds· People from a wide range of backgrounds go to watch football.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- All of the men have different religious backgrounds.
- Gary always tried to hide his working class background.
- How quickly kids learn to read will often depend on both their ability and their backgrounds.
- In our class we have children of all different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
- It took five years for the author to research background information for her new book
- It was a photo of everyone in my class, with the school building in the background.
- Most of his friends were from similar middle-class backgrounds.
- Steve has a background in computer engineering.
- Sylvie had always expected that she would marry someone of a similar background to herself.
- The elections are taking place against a background of widespread unemployment.
- The flag's five orange stripes stand out against a silver background.
- The invitations had red lettering on a white background.
- The organization helps children from working-class backgrounds to go to university.
- The school takes kids from all sorts of backgrounds.
- We come from the same town and share a similar background.
- A small building in the background of the original picture was a church built in 1882, McLelland said.
- And using Cousin Franklin as a premier background source, Joe was able to add considerably to his wealth and fame.
- If she was stuck with wanting a man whose background and conditioning were alien to her, then that was her problem.
- McWilliams said a background check would have revealed little because the man had no criminal record.
- O'Connor had had sentence deferred for psychiatric and social background reports last month.
- Passing sentence, Lord Sutherland said he took into account Hynd's domestic background.
- She would have preferred a woman of her own age and background.
- The grating broadcasts sometimes switched to tapes of radio call-in shows and other background sounds of an electronic civilization.
THESAURUS
a group of students or schoolchildren who are taught together: · There are twenty kids in the class.· She gets along well with the other children in her class.· I’m going out with some friends from my dance class.· 'I graduated in 1999.' 'What class were you in?'
the type of home and family you come from, and its social class: · The school takes kids from all sorts of backgrounds.· We come from the same town and share a similar background.working-class/middle-class etc background: · The organization helps children from working-class backgrounds to go to university.
belonging to the class of people who are usually well educated, fairly rich, and who work in jobs which they have trained to do. For example, doctors, lawyers, and managers are middle-class: · The newspaper’s readers are mostly middle class.· They live in a middle-class neighbourhood on the edge of town.
someone who works in an office, not a factory, mine etc: white-collar worker/job/employee: · The economic recession has put many white-collar workers in danger of losing their jobs.
belonging to the class of people who do not have much money or power, and who have jobs where they do physical work. For example, factory workers, builders, and drivers are working-class: · Most of the people who live round here are working class.· I come from a working-class family – I’m the first one to graduate from college.
someone who does physical work, for example in a factory or a mine, and does not work in an office: blue-collar worker/job/employee: · His political support comes mainly from blue-collar workers.
belonging to the class of people who originally had most of the money and power, especially families that own a lot of land: · Most senior politicians in the UK are from upper-class families.· He spoke with an upper-class accent.
the lowest social class, who are very poor and may not have jobs, homes etc: · The government has created an underclass who do not feel they have any rights in society.
Longman Language Activatorthe area behind the things or people in a picture, on a stage etc the area behind someone or something in a picture, on a stage etc: · The invitations had red lettering on a white background.against a background: · The flag's five orange stripes stand out against a silver background.
if someone or something is in the background , it is behind the place where the main activity is happening: · In the photograph, a statue of St. Andrew stood in the background.· Palm trees swayed in the background.· While I was on the phone with Julie, I could hear the sound of a television in the background.
the things such as buildings, hills or mountains that are behind something that you are looking at: · The snow-covered Rocky Mountains made a wonderful backdrop for the concert.
someone's social class the social group that you belong to because of your job, the type of family you come from, or the amount of money you have: · Success in this country seems to be based on class rather than on ability.· the professional and managerial classesthe class system (=the system by which society is divided into classes): · The old class system is slowly disappearing.social class (=the class in society you come from): · There is a clear link between social class and educational achievement.class distinctions (=differences between social classes): · Some people argue that class distinctions do not exist in the U.S., but this is untrue.
the type of home and family you come from, and its social class: · The school takes kids from all sorts of backgrounds.· We come from the same town and share a similar background.working-class/middle-class etc background: · The organization helps children from working-class backgrounds to go to university.
someone's position in society, according to how much other people respect them, especially because of the kind of job they have: · Now that he was a bank manager, he wanted a car that would reflect his status.high/low status: · Many mothers feel that they have very low status in today's society.status symbol (=something that someone owns in order to show their high status): · The latest mobile phones have become status symbols among teenagers.
a fixed division of people in society according to the family they are born into, especially within the Hindu religion: · In the south of India there are up to 20 different castes.caste system: · Buddha was a social reformer who condemned India's caste system.
to come from a particular family or social group · Most of the people here come from very poor families.· She comes from a family of seven kids.· He's from a very upper class background.
if you are descended from someone, especially someone famous or a group of people who lived a long time ago, you are related to them: · She always claimed her family was descended from the ancient Kings of Egypt.· The Japanese are thought to be descended from tribes from the north of China.
the particular type of family or social group that you come from: · How quickly kids learn to read will often depend on both their ability and their backgrounds.· Sylvie had always expected that she would marry someone of a similar background to herself.working class/Jewish etc background: · Gary always tried to hide his working class background.
the social position that you were born into and in which you spent the early part of your life, for example who your parents were or whether they were rich or poor: · Miller questioned her closely, about her present job, her family and her origins.humble origins (=a poor social position that someone comes from): · Politicians love to talk about their humble origins because they think it will make them popular with voters.
your connection with a place or group in society because you were born there, or your family used to live there: · Rizzo was a man who never forgot his roots.· Beth went to Israel in search of her roots.
a group of people who are related to each other a group of people who are related to each other, especially a mother, father, and their children all living together: · He comes from a family of eight children.· A lot of the families living in this area are very poor.member of a family: · Pearl is the last surviving member of her family.the Armstrong/Mitchell/Jones family (=the family with this name): · Various members of the Kennedy family were at the funeral.immediate family (=your closest relatives): · Only her immediate family knew she had heart disease.nuclear family (=a family consisting of a mother, a father, and their children): · Having an intact nuclear family does not guarantee that a child will turn out well.extended family (=including cousins, grandparents etc): · My extended family usually gets together at holidays.one-parent family/single-parent family (=a family in which there is only one parent): · Single-parent families are much more common these days.big/large/small family: · I grew up in a large family in the South.· The cost of sending kids to college - even for a small family - is extremely high.
someone's mother and father: · Do you get on well with your parents?· Parents need to become more involved in their children's school activities.
informal your family, especially your parents: · She's gone back home to see her folks.· My folks were waiting for me at the station.
the type of family and social class that you grew up in: · Most of his friends were from similar middle-class backgrounds.· In our class we have children of all different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
the front or back of a picture the nearest part of a scene in a picture or photograph: in the foreground: · In the foreground of the picture is a man with a black beard, dressed in rough workingman's clothes and a hat.
the area behind something or someone in a picture or photograph: in the background: · It was a photo of everyone in my class, with the school building in the background.
WORD SETSablaze, adjectiveacoustic, adjectiveacoustics, nounaglow, adjectivebaa, verbbabble, verbbabble, nounbabel, nounbaby talk, nounbackfire, verbbackground, nounbang, nounbang, verbbang, interjectionbark, verbbark, nounbattle cry, nounbay, verbbeat, verbbeat, nounbellow, verbbellow, nounblare, verbblast, nounbleat, verbbleep, nounbleep, verbblip, nounbong, nounboom, nounboom, verbbowwow, interjectionbrassy, adjectivebray, verbbrazen, adjectivebreathy, adjectivebubble, verbbump, nounchatter, verbchatter, nounclink, verbclink, nouncrack, verbcrack, nouncrackle, verbcrackling, nouncrash, verbcrash, nouncreak, verbcreaky, adjectivecroak, verbcroak, nouncrow, nouncrow, verbcrunch, nouncrunch, verbding-dong, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedrone, verbdrone, noundrown, verbdrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrumming, noundull, adjectiveecho, verbecho, nounfizz, verbflat, adjectivefootfall, nounfootstep, nounfusillade, noungrinding, adjectivegroan, verbgroan, noungrunt, verbgrunt, nounguffaw, verbgunshot, nounguttural, adjectivehigh, adjectivehigh, adverbhiss, verbindistinct, adjectiveirregular, adjectivelow, verbmarbled, adjectivematching, adjectivemellow, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemetallic, adjectivemoan, verbmoan, nounmodulate, verbmonotone, nounmoo, verbmurmur, verbmurmur, nounmusical, adjectivemusically, adverbmute, verbnasal, adjectivenoise, nounoink, interjectionoof, interjectionpatter, verbpatter, nounpeal, nounpeal, verbpenetrating, adjectivepercussion, nounpsychedelic, adjectivepulse, nounputter, verbquack, verbquack, nounquaver, nounracket, nounrasp, verbrasp, nounraspberry, nounrat-a-tat, nounrattle, nounraucous, adjectivereedy, adjectivereport, nounresonance, nounresonant, adjectiveresonate, verbresonator, nounresound, verbresounding, adjectivereverberate, verbreverberation, nounrich, adjectivering, nounring, verbringing, adjectiveripple, verbripple, nounroar, nounroaring, adjectiveroll, verbrough, adjectiverustle, verbrustle, nounscratch, verbscratch, nounscream, verbscream, nounscrunch, verbsmoky, adjectivesnarl, verbsoft, adjectivesoft-spoken, adjectivesonorous, adjectivesotto voce, adverbsplosh, verbsweet, adjectiveswoosh, verbtick-tock, nountinny, adjectivetonal, adjectivevivid, adjectivevowel, nounwail, verbweak, adjectivewhack, nounwham, interjectionwhine, verbwhinny, verbwhirr, verbwhistle, verbwhistle, nounyelp, nounyowl, verbzoom, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives Iacocca rose from humble beginnings to become boss of Ford. The unemployment data must be seen against the background of world recession.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Many kids lack a stable family background.
· Universities aim to attract students from varied social backgrounds.
· Some of his attitudes were due to his cultural background.
· We do not discriminate against people because of their ethnic background or gender.
· Class background is an important factor in the level of schooling achieved.
· Smokers often come from poorer socio-economic backgrounds.
· The interviewer will ask you about your educational background and work experience.· Postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.
· Managers can come from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
· I came from a very poor working-class background.
· The school has a high percentage of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
· His poor background prevented him from going to medical college.
· All the top jobs were taken by people from privileged backgrounds.
verbs· We are looking for someone who has a background in science.
· Mark and I came from very similar backgrounds.
phrases· People from a wide range of backgrounds go to watch football.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=to get information about someone’s previous work, education, family etc)· The company conducts background checks on security employees.
(=the type of society you come from, and its ideas, customs etc)· people from the same cultural background
(=the race or country that someone originally came from)· Schools are increasingly composed of pupils of different religions and different ethnic origins.
· He comes from a stable family background.
Iacocca rose from humble beginnings to become boss of Ford. (=information explaining what happened before the present situation)· He gave us some background information about the trial.
(=knowledge that you need before you can understand or do something)· The test will show what background knowledge a student brings to the course.
(=that you hear but do not listen to)· the soft background music in the restaurant
(=noise of things that are happening around you)· The background noise made it hard to hear what he was saying.
(=the radiation normally present in the environment)· In some parts of the world, background radiation is very high.
The unemployment data must be seen against the background of world recession.· In all periods, attention is paid to the social and cultural background which gave rise to the literature.· If the parents have different cultural backgrounds, the tasks of reconciling the image to the reality is more complicated.· Speakers of different languages and cultural backgrounds, and from different social groups, vary quite significantly in their preferred language norms.· Models provide a shared frame of reference for people from different cultural backgrounds.· This is the cultural background against which fraud has been carried out.· Black psychologists crushed the notion that child rearing was the same, regardless of cultural background.· Their cultural background is that of a small rural community where women tend to go out with family members or neighbours.· They fill out your cultural background and describe the foods and street life.
· Assemblies, dress requirements, school meals provision and links with parents may be insensitive to different cultural backgrounds and linguistic diversity.· You have to have good hosts, guys with different backgrounds and personalities.· Both parents were of Breton origin, but of markedly different social backgrounds.· If the parents have different cultural backgrounds, the tasks of reconciling the image to the reality is more complicated.· But despite their different backgrounds, all the men meticulously fasten their seat belts before each journey.· I also believed that these experiences enabled me to communicate with many different kinds of people, from many different backgrounds.· Buyers have different backgrounds, technical expertise and intelligence levels.· Since everyone knows that people of different backgrounds speak differently, why this selective appreciation?
· If they are beginning their training, what is their educational background?· Managers come from a variety of educational backgrounds.· Otley found that a rising proportion of senior army officers had elite educational backgrounds.· All students, regardless of their educational backgrounds, come with some basic observations and knowledge about science.· There was snobbery, and attitudes formed by social and educational background.· All of us do have good educational backgrounds.· Undifferentiated comparisons which ignore parental occupations and educational backgrounds and environmental conditions like housing are also of very limited value.· Because of the diversity of duties and levels of responsibility, their educational backgrounds and experience vary considerably.
· Maternity work with women from varied ethnic backgrounds developed my interest into health education and promotion.· No matter our actual ethnic background or political philosophies, we are all Protestant capitalists longing for permission to play.· For many years a child from an ethnic background with problems has received twice the average funding.· Clearly, emerging infections can affect people everywhere, regardless of lifestyle, cultural or ethnic background, or socioeconomic status.· The latter are usually discriminated against by overt racist language which denigrates a person's colour and ethnic background.· The racial and ethnic background of pregnant and parenting teens varies, of course, in different parts of the country.· Might his experiences be the result of his own unique person rather than his ethnic background?· The study included 548 Massachusetts schoolchildren of various ethnic backgrounds who were aged 11 and 12.
· The flock receives virtually no historical background from its shepherd - who is believed to be the definitive authority on such matters.· Some theological and historical background is necessary before examining the present acclamations of the Roman mass.· Howard Carter's own sketches, excavation notes, photographs, diaries and letters provide the historical background to the finds.· His many references to the Kingdom recorded in the Gospels must be seen against this historical background and contemporary context.· The historical background provided in this chapter helps us understand some of these diagnoses as well as some of the prescriptions.· It is crucial to understand the historical background.· As a preliminary to this, it is necessary to describe something of the historical background to interwar West Ham.
· She wanted university endowments to be used to fund poor preachers and scholars from humble backgrounds.· Republican Presidents of the late twentieth century-Eisenhower, Nixon, Fordhad all been men of humble background and no inherited wealth.
· In addition a doctor mentioned the advantage of his privileged background and several people indicated that they came from medical families.· It gives those of a less privileged social background better opportunities for appointment and promotion.
· Most people in bands have quite similar backgrounds and I reckon a lot of them shared the same experience as I did.· These men often have similar backgrounds and philosophies of life which lead to similar results and successes.· This epoch was to pass, after Adams's presidency, into similar backgrounds and were very closely interrelated.· The congressional leaders with whom they dealt had similar backgrounds and a similar preoccupation.· Arthur Newsholme, Newman's older colleague, had his origins in a similar nonconformist background.· Applicants should have a degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology or a similar background.· We have a very similar Northern background, are roughly the same age and have the same sense of humour.
· Restored quarrymen's cottages at Gloddfa Ganol show the social background of the industrial workers.· The men and women I have met come from all sorts of social and employment backgrounds.· Childhood cancers, including leukaemia, can strike a healthy child at random, regardless of race, social background or creed.· Both parents were of Breton origin, but of markedly different social backgrounds.· It must be seen against the social background of early Anglo-Saxon society in the seventh century.· O'Connor had had sentence deferred for psychiatric and social background reports last month.· There was snobbery, and attitudes formed by social and educational background.· It has long been known in education circles that a clear correlation exists between social class background and examination success.
· The bedroom is wallpapered, both on walls and ceiling, with a delicate tiny pink flower motif on a white background.· Interspersed throughout these pieces are short items in smaller type on white backgrounds about similar figures from real life or other media.· Bold stripes in any one of six colours are set against a crisp white background.· She wore a low-cut cotton sundress, a bright green-and-yellow geometric print on a white background.· A white background to this black patch is set in otherwise clear finnage.· One woman, of white Southern background, said her family believed they were related to Pocahontas.· He worked out of doors, with natural light and a white background.· Today it is usually decanted against an electric light or white background.
NOUN· California requires a 15-day waiting period and a background check on all purchasers, even on sales between private parties.· In the realm of Pop Warner youth football, Dilatush says, some leagues require a criminal background check for every volunteer.· Commerce officials now say they wish a foreign background check had been done, even though it was not required.· The council voted 5-2 to examine how Colorado and Oregon have handled the background check loophole.· Licenses would be issued only to those 21 and older who pass a background check.· Local law enforcement officials have just 48 hours to complete a background check of prospective gun purchasers.· McWilliams said a background check would have revealed little because the man had no criminal record.
· Differences in gender experience, as well as class background, will be explored in each aspect of inquiry.· All are from upper-middle-class backgrounds, since their parents are largely professionals, and they attended predominantly white high schools.· In terms of class background, some of these factors are more sharply tilted than others - and not all the same way.· Others demonstrated that people's post-school careers were also dependent upon their social class background.· It has long been known in education circles that a clear correlation exists between social class background and examination success.· These jobbing photographers came from a class background similar to those whom they served.· They are socially mobile, many of them having risen from working class backgrounds to new heights in the class structure.· Evidence from different nationalities and different class backgrounds suggests an overall pattern to discourse about race and prejudice.
· Carriage at right: Knit 1 row to left with background colour. * Carriage at left: Pick up colour 2.· First paint a background colour and let it dry.· Next stick strips of low-tack masking tape over the areas of background colour that you want to remain.· The rectangles drawn around the row numbers indicate the rows on which you knit with the background colour.· The background colour will select to knit normally and the black areas will create the tucks.· It also means that the choice of background colour is vital.· If you choose the background colour, the effect will probably be subtle.· In fact there are six, including the background colour, which means that six colours have been used for this design.
· Ritu had been chosen on account of her suitable family background and her fair complexion.· All the attributes and a good family background.· In his family background and dealings with people there is no suggestion that the material world is intrinsically evil.· The greatest influence was, of course, the aptitude the student brought to school-something. determined largely by family background.· It is the security of that family background which is the basic need of any child.· The Northridge man has a family background of high blood pressure and strokes.· In the family background there was a death.· It might well be factors outside the control of the workers and the manager-like students' family backgrounds.
· If healing loss is sudden, and it is severe or total, the withdrawal of this background information happens instantaneously.· The attorneys presented background information on the case.· The knowledge of a critic is useful here for filling in relevant background information.· In all honesty, it is probably worth more than the $ 30 asking price for the background information alone.· This provided background information which was extended through visits.· He then typed in the correct background information, along with the date June 15, 1949.· In documentary-style demonstration material the commentary is used to provide background information.· There are also chapters with background information on birding and a list of species with range maps.
· Unfortunately many of the science schemes on the market assume a depth of background knowledge which not all teachers have.· Their background knowledge of an institution is typically and corporately small, and sojourn within its walls brief.· In addition, the introduction to each Resource Book gives you vital background knowledge about the concepts and methodology underlying each technique.· Basic assumptions and background knowledge are not referenced.· There is unlikely to be a consensus definition of the boundaries between background knowledge and the specific issues addressed in individual papers.· A little background knowledge will make you more confident and help you to draw up a list of really relevant questions.· The books demystify language teaching theory, and provide invaluable background knowledge which will extend professional skills.· Does the background knowledge assumed seem appropriate for your child?
· No need to interrupt the background music just to page the concierge.· To almost deafening background music, she does take a lover.· She could even hear background music, syrupy and soothing, in her head.· Sometimes there's jazz, sometimes classical, but there's always good background music.· As well as providing background music, the stand will include an ongoing workshop demonstrating the process of producing new pieces.· They provided background music while people ate and talked, played cards, to give you a pleasant ambience.· Here the sound of running water can be heard like faint background music.
· Later it may possibly be used in ordinary conversation, but again quiet circumstances avoid interference from the background noise.· Repetitive stimuli are relegated to background noise and, like the ticking of that clock, are not heard until they stop.· This may account for certain background noises in the tracks!· If under-modulated, there will be a lot of background noise and weak results.· Carpets, carpet tiles or rubberised floors help to keep background noise low, allowing meaningful sounds to be more audible.· The voice could then be raised until the instrument responded to it above the level of the background noise.
VERB· It would be an opportunity for reflection specifically for people coming with a background of development experience and practice.· A few came from relatively privileged backgrounds.· Both came from affluent backgrounds and were educated at Ivy League schools.· He said both men came from deprived backgrounds and bore a grudge against the area in which they lived.· They come from a tough background.· United by their love of comedy they come from diverse backgrounds in London and Surrey.· Researchers discovered that successful drivers came from every socioeconomic background.
· Furthermore, Geophysics forms an excellent background for those concerned with the control and development of our environment.· All those little gestures formed hut a background to the real art of seduction.· It is the fates of these kingdoms which form the background of El Cid's area of greatest activity.· The failure to adjust to retirement can form the background to future poor health, and many other age-related problems.· In modern music we have small ostinato figurations, note-groups or rhythms, which form the background to musical sections.· The regional overviews will form the background for detailed case studies of the engineering sector.· It was this atmosphere that formed the perfect background to a display of starlings gathering at their night-time roost.· So had the cheerful chat and bustle that had formed the barely noticed background to our conversation.
· One of the three Institutes leads each study and provides background papers.· They provided background music while people ate and talked, played cards, to give you a pleasant ambience.· Howard Carter's own sketches, excavation notes, photographs, diaries and letters provide the historical background to the finds.· But for now, the following notes should inform and provide the background for the library or bookstore trip.· Both studies provide a necessary background to understanding some of the problems now faced by government.· The books demystify language teaching theory, and provide invaluable background knowledge which will extend professional skills.· General exploration provides the background that enables us to link up otherwise unrelated items.· Regional geochemical maps provide information on background levels of metals against which environmental degradation can be monitored.
· In the West its enormous popularity was as a love story set against the epic background of the Revolution and its aftermath.· It set up a moaning background noise that would occasionally gust into prominence, then lapse again to mere accompaniment.· The island's strange beauty, however, was set against a background of racial and political conflict.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1[countable] someone’s family, education, previous work etc: - Again, a palm across the mouthpiece and the drone of conversation in the background.
- Fred Bradley stayed very much in the background and his soft, kind eyes helped to put her at ease.
- Looming in the background are always the twin prospects of sudden incalculable wealth and instant agonizing death.
- Lurking in the background, too, are the constant takeover rumors about the bank, the largest in Florida.
- She saw Lee hoist the baby on his shoulder, with people passing in the background.
- Some piano music tinkles gently in the background, a black Armani shirt clings softly to his chest.
- This is an ideal species to be grown in the background of the tank and will give it a very natural look.
- Tutilo hovered in the background, keeping himself modestly apart while his betters conferred.
Students with a background in chemistry will probably find the course easier. It’s important to understand other people, people from different backgrounds. Do you know anything about his background?2[countable, uncountable] the situation or past events that explain why something happens in the way that it doesbackground to Without knowing the background to the case, I couldn’t possibly comment.against a background of something The peace talks are being held against a background of increasing violence.background information/details/data etc The author included a new chapter of background material for the second edition of the book.3[countable usually singular] the area that is behind the main thing that you are looking at, especially in a picture: The background looks out of focus.in the background In the background, you can see my college friends.4[countable] the pattern or colour on top of which something has been drawn, printed etc: red lettering on a white background5in the background someone who keeps or stays in the background tries not to be noticed: The president’s advisors are content to remain in the background.6[countable, uncountable] the sounds that you can hear apart from the main thing that you are listening toin the background In the background, I could hear the sound of traffic. All of the background noise made it difficult to have a phone conversation.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesfamily background· Many kids lack a stable family background.social background· Universities aim to attract students from varied social backgrounds.cultural background· Some of his attitudes were due to his cultural background.ethnic background· We do not discriminate against people because of their ethnic background or gender.class background· Class background is an important factor in the level of schooling achieved.socio-economic background· Smokers often come from poorer socio-economic backgrounds.educational/academic background· The interviewer will ask you about your educational background and work experience.· Postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic backgrounds.professional background· Managers can come from a wide range of professional backgrounds.a working-class/middle-class background· I came from a very poor working-class background.a deprived/disadvantaged background· The school has a high percentage of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.a poor background· His poor background prevented him from going to medical college.a privileged/wealthy background· All the top jobs were taken by people from privileged backgrounds.verbshave a background (in something)· We are looking for someone who has a background in science.come from a background· Mark and I came from very similar backgrounds.phrasesa range of backgrounds· People from a wide range of backgrounds go to watch football.