back·stage
ˈbak-ˌstāj 
1
: of, relating to, or occurring in the area behind the stage and especially in the dressing rooms
2
: of or relating to the private lives of theater people
3
: of or relating to the inner working or operation (as of an organization)
back·stage
ˈbak-ˈstāj
1
: in or to a backstage area
2
: in private : secretly
Synonyms
Examples of backstage in a Sentence
Adverb
After the show, we went backstage to meet the band.
some of the most important decisions were made backstage, and only presented to the full committee afterward
Recent Examples on the Web
Raven Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Black & Yellow Jimmy Fallon and Chelsea Handler share a backstage moment at The Tonight Show on Oct. 4.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023
Adding to all the backstage drama is Clea (Rebecca Liddiard), the props manager who’s angling to find a way for her girlfriend, Rachel (Vinessa Antoine), who’s understudying role of Salome, to get her shot in the spotlight.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
The interaction was captured on video as Hailey was backstage with her father, Stephen Baldwin, when Justin had an appearance on the Today show.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023
All Elite Wrestling fired one of its top wrestlers, CM Punk, just days after he got involved in a backstage confrontation with fellow wrestler Jack Perry.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Styles descends down the ladder, revealing the backstage landscape of a circus crew adorned by just about every act that could be featured in such a decadent show.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 19 July 2023
Fans of Disturbed, meanwhile, can down backstage beers with the metal icons thanks to Superfan Live’s preshow offerings.
—Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2023
At her first-ever show, the backstage bathroom scene was troubling.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 June 2023
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
Their first public outing together was in November 2022, when they were photographed backstage at a Bono concert in Los Angeles.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Nov. 2023
The other name was harder to make out, and he was asked about it backstage.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023
Brian McIntire, owner of Precinct, is less impressed as the group sidles up to the door then heads backstage.
—Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
Rapper Tupac Shakur poses for photos backstage after his performance at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994.
—CBS News, 2 Nov. 2023
In Oklahoma City, news traveled backstage that someone had entered Public Enemy’s dressing room and stolen Chuck D’s signature black leather jacket.
—Staci Robinson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2023
Justin Theroux and Actress Nicole Brydon Bloom Step Out Together in New York City
At the end of the night, Bloom was observed wearing Theroux’s jacket around her shoulders to keep warm before joining him backstage ahead of the auction.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Playmaker Kelsi is back at the piano; Chad, Taylor and Ryan are living their best lives backstage; Troy and Gabriella are reunited onstage; Efron and Hudgens are magic onscreen; the harmonies are like butter; and all is right in the High School Musical Cinematic Universe.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
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Adjective
Producers Maria Altamirano, Barry Jenkins and Adele Romanski are backstage with me, as well as some of the team of distributor A24.
—Raven Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Black & Yellow Jimmy Fallon and Chelsea Handler share a backstage moment at The Tonight Show on Oct. 4.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023
Adding to all the backstage drama is Clea (Rebecca Liddiard), the props manager who’s angling to find a way for her girlfriend, Rachel (Vinessa Antoine), who’s understudying role of Salome, to get her shot in the spotlight.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
The interaction was captured on video as Hailey was backstage with her father, Stephen Baldwin, when Justin had an appearance on the Today show.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023
All Elite Wrestling fired one of its top wrestlers, CM Punk, just days after he got involved in a backstage confrontation with fellow wrestler Jack Perry.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
Styles descends down the ladder, revealing the backstage landscape of a circus crew adorned by just about every act that could be featured in such a decadent show.
—Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 19 July 2023
Fans of Disturbed, meanwhile, can down backstage beers with the metal icons thanks to Superfan Live’s preshow offerings.
—Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2023
At her first-ever show, the backstage bathroom scene was troubling.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 June 2023
Adverb
After the show, Swift was spotted in an adorable video running into Kelce’s arms, sharing a big kiss before disappearing together backstage.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
Their first public outing together was in November 2022, when they were photographed backstage at a Bono concert in Los Angeles.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Nov. 2023
The other name was harder to make out, and he was asked about it backstage.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Nov. 2023
Brian McIntire, owner of Precinct, is less impressed as the group sidles up to the door then heads backstage.
—Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
Rapper Tupac Shakur poses for photos backstage after his performance at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in March 1994.
—CBS News, 2 Nov. 2023
In Oklahoma City, news traveled backstage that someone had entered Public Enemy’s dressing room and stolen Chuck D’s signature black leather jacket.
—Staci Robinson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2023
Justin Theroux and Actress Nicole Brydon Bloom Step Out Together in New York City
At the end of the night, Bloom was observed wearing Theroux’s jacket around her shoulders to keep warm before joining him backstage ahead of the auction.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023
Playmaker Kelsi is back at the piano; Chad, Taylor and Ryan are living their best lives backstage; Troy and Gabriella are reunited onstage; Efron and Hudgens are magic onscreen; the harmonies are like butter; and all is right in the High School Musical Cinematic Universe.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backstage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing backstage
Dictionary Entries Near backstage
Cite this Entry
“Backstage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstage. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
backstage
adverb or adjective
back·stage
ˈbak-ˈstāj
: in or to an area behind the stage of a theater
More from Merriam-Webster on backstage
Nglish: Translation of backstage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of backstage for Arabic Speakers
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