backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp How to pronounce backdrop (audio)
1
: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage
2
backdrop transitive verb

Examples of backdrop in a Sentence

The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos. The novel unfolds against a backdrop of war. The city provides the backdrop for the love story.
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.
Though the difference in size can be hard to spot with the naked eye, the moon’s striking glow created a stunning backdrop for photographers and moon lovers alike. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Before there was Downton Abbey, the seminal series — set at the turn of the 20th century across nearly three decades of Edwardian England — traced the lives of the fortunate Bellamy family and its servants, set against the backdrop of the era’s sociopolitical upheaval. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025 Performing in front of a crowd of more than 50,000 fans with the backdrop of the California desert, Boone wore an all-white jumpsuit with light blue straps on his pants and shirt, which was without sleeves. Andrew John, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025 The drama surrounding Paxton came against the backdrop of simmering ideological tensions within the state’s Republican Party. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backdrop

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backdrop was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Backdrop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backdrop. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

backdrop

noun
back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp How to pronounce backdrop (audio)
1
: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage
2

More from Merriam-Webster on backdrop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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