SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

into the background

Definition of into the background

:into the position of being less important

The war has pushed all other issues into the background.

Word by Word Definitions

background play

: the scenery or ground behind something
: the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground
: an image that displays on a computer screen underneath the various available icons and windows

: to provide with background

See the full definition of background

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up into the background? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

hew

play

to conform or adhere

Words at Play

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The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

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I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

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The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

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The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Noah Webster first entered the term in 1840

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

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Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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Syn City

Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.

Play the game