Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A painted cloth hung at the back of a stage set.
  • noun The setting, as of a historical event; the background.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun the scenery hung at back of stage. Also called in Britain backcloth.
  • noun the background, setting, or circumstances of an event.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A decorated cloth hung at the back of a stage.
  • noun The setting or background of a historical event.
  • verb transitive To serve as a backdrop for.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun scenery hung at back of stage

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The satin backdrop is removed and suddenly two backing boys are standing with handheld percussion, looking strangely delicate and shy in the world she has created.

    Juana Molina Worlds Apart in Her Hometown Buenos Aires 2006

  • A Hammerson spokeswoman says the company's main focus for 2012—against what she calls a "backdrop of low growth"—will be "working with customers and using our skills to grow income and improve the value of assets within the portfolio."

    U.K. REIT Challenge for 2012: Debt Anita Likus 2011

  • Here your backdrop is an ultimately idyllic secondary world reconstructed from our myth, folklore and fable (childhood and the past idealised).

    Of Genres and Sub-Genres Hal Duncan 2008

  • "Against this backdrop is a noir-style murder mystery in which a rogue cop investigates the killing of a heroin-addicted chess prodigy who might be the messiah."

    NEW COEN BROTHERS PROJECT 2008

  • It's not oversized and, obviously, the backdrop is beautiful beyond the river.

    Get to know: Headley gets his shot to be impact player 2010

  • This geologic backdrop is what gives the Costa Smeralda such dramatic beauty, and it is this beauty that has attracted Italian high society and international glitterati for decades.

    The Subdued Side of Sardinia Cristina Slattery 2010

  • Anyway, the unlikely pair, backed by an impressive mix of musicians and a white curtain backdrop playing trippy hippy images, rocked the crowd performing tunes off their well-received self-titled debut album including breakout hit "The High Road."

    Jon Chattman: Broken Bells Take High Road and Rock NYC Jon Chattman 2010

  • "The terror backdrop is supporting Treasurys," said Tom di Galoma, head of U.S. rates trading at Guggenheim Partners in New York.

    Treasurys Gain; 2-Year Yield Hits Record Low Min Zeng 2010

  • And I agree with yout — too bad its backdrop is such a hideous looking venue.

    Nike’s ‘Ballman’ World Cup Sculpture | We Heart: Essential Lifestyle Guide 2010

  • While the story line focuses on non-stop action, the desolate frozen backdrop is in some ways the prime character as even in near extinction some in power will make a grab for more control while others prefer to simply save the world.

    Plague War « The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews 2008

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