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.
Set against the backdrop of suburban New Jersey, Noah is forced to confront his family’s messy grief, his Jewish identity, and the return of a past love. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 Against a backdrop of rising food and housing costs, more and more Americans find themselves in a precarious financial situation. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025 The Lee’s Summit police officer received the Hero Medal on a stage with dozens of American flags as the backdrop, surrounded by Times Square’s iconic structures, massive digital billboards and high-energy atmosphere. Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025 In the clip, Gomez can be seen creating the visuals inside a photo studio, posing in multiple outfits, and in front of several vibrant backdrops as a high-tech camera follows her. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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