backstory
noun
back·story
ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē 
: 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
The backstory Hotelier and owner Heleen Uitenbroek rescued the palace, which likely hadn’t seen love since its prime in the 15th century.
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
That backstory might prove disturbing for younger tykes, as will a vicious battle between Sebastian and two menacing dogs, no doubt accounting for the film’s PG rating.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
There are multiple character moments inserted that provide far more backstory, plus a visceral swap-out of the dog being a host vessel for the violent alien birth with a much bloodier ox impregnation scene.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
When the building was later gutted after an earthquake, her husband, Brian Miller, even managed to rescue a piece of its history — and his wife's backstory.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
That backstory might prove disturbing for younger tykes, as will a vicious battle between Sebastian and two menacing dogs, no doubt accounting for the film’s PG rating.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
There are multiple character moments inserted that provide far more backstory, plus a visceral swap-out of the dog being a host vessel for the violent alien birth with a much bloodier ox impregnation scene.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
When the building was later gutted after an earthquake, her husband, Brian Miller, even managed to rescue a piece of its history — and his wife's backstory.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstory
Cite this Entry
“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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