backgrounder

noun

back·​ground·​er ˈbak-ˌ(g)rau̇n-dər How to pronounce backgrounder (audio)
1
: an off-the-record briefing for reporters
2
: something (such as an essay) that provides background information about a particular subject
She believes birds are the best model for understanding human language. But before making her argument, she offers a highly informative backgrounder on bird song.K. C. Cole

Examples of backgrounder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In fact, no small portion of the Royal Swedish Academy’s technical backgrounder (PDF) released to the media this morning could have also been cribbed from this in-depth Spectrum consideration of nearly a quarter-century ago. Tekla S. Perry, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Oct. 2023 From white papers or backgrounders to blog posts or Twitter threads designed for nontechnical audiences, actively look to accessibly share your sector expertise and encourage other leaders on the team to do the same. Jaime Leverton, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 For more thoughts on this subject, see this backgrounder by T. Rowe Price. Tom Herman, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021 In some countries, LGBTQ+ people face danger and imprisonment according to The Council on Foreign Relation's backgrounder. Devon Link, USA TODAY, 9 June 2021 Intelligence analysts provide backgrounders on potential threats. Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2020 Getty Images/Science Source Before diving into the current outbreak more deeply, let’s pause for a quick backgrounder on Ebola. Julia Belluz, Vox, 11 May 2018 These five nights serve mostly as backgrounders—offering information to viewers that will make their experience following the royal wedding more fun. Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 7 May 2018 The backgrounder provided small insights on numerous rides, including the Mustang GT500, the Explorer ST, and the Mach 1, yet the outline of the Bronco might have stolen the event. Tony Markovich, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backgrounder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backgrounder was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near backgrounder

Cite this Entry

“Backgrounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backgrounder. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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