backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp How to pronounce backdrop (audio)
1
: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage
2
backdrop transitive verb

Examples of backdrop in a Sentence

The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos. The novel unfolds against a backdrop of war. The city provides the backdrop for the love story.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Against that backdrop, there was no chance of Saturday passing off quietly and by the time extra-time ended, Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vasquez and Jude Bellingham had all been sent off. Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 At the same time, Tujunga locals — who relish their relative isolation living against the rugged backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains — say they are tormented by the noise, vibrations and dust caused by the hauling trucks, which traverse along homes in this semirural area. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025 Set in 1943, The Narrow Road to the Deep North tells the story of Dorrigo and Amy, who are dealing with the impossibility of love against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 Set against the backdrop of Norway’s cultural awakening, the series created by Ole-Martin Ihle and Eivind Holmboe turns on a socialist family, navigating the turbulent waters of 1980s capitalism. Annika Pham, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backdrop

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backdrop was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Backdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backdrop. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

backdrop

noun
back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp How to pronounce backdrop (audio)
1
: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage
2

More from Merriam-Webster on backdrop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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