backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp 

1

: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage

2

: background

backdrop transitive verb

Synonyms of backdrop

• background

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

Against a backdrop of cautious recovery in China’s luxury market, Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) has unveiled its provisional Fall/Winter 2026 schedule. —Yiling Pan, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026

Its fighters wore camouflage gear that blended with a sand-colored backdrop; the base was only reachable by walking up a steep slope. —Younes Mohammad, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026

Amid a backdrop of heightened political stakes, thousands of people of all backgrounds braved the rain Sunday to loudly celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture at the Calle Ocho Music Festival in the heart of Little Havana. —Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026

Of course, this coming against the backdrop of the crisis with ICE. —NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backdrop

• atop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop
• laptop

Kids Definition

backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp 

1

: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage

2

: background sense 1, 3a