backstory

noun

back·​story ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē How to pronounce backstory (audio)
: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)

Examples of backstory in a Sentence

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.
Tell me the backstory of that spooky song. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 The backstory This is one of the city’s tallest hotels and was the first Park Hyatt to open in China. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026 Each brand is evaluated based on its backstory and its cultural potential. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 Although the Mortal Kombat games have more than 100 characters, each with their own complex lore and backstory, the 2021 movie had an all-new character as its protagonist. James Grebey, Vulture, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for backstory

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backstory was in 1982

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Cite this Entry

“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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