backdrop
Americannoun
-
especially British, back-cloth. Theater. the rear curtain of a stage setting.
-
the background of an event; setting.
-
Gymnastics. a maneuver in which a trampolinist jumps in the air, lands on the back with the arms and legs pointed upward, and then springs up to a standing position.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
another name for backcloth
-
the background to any scene or situation
Usage
What does backdrop mean? Backdrop refers to the background or setting of a situation or event. It can refer to something physically located in the background of something else, such as a backdrop used for a photo shoot. It can also be used figuratively to refer to circumstances that surround an event, as in a backdrop of scandal and accusations of fraud. More specifically, a backdrop is the curtain that hangs at the back of the stage in a theater, as in We have to fix the rips in the backdrop before the big show. Less commonly, backdrop can also be used as a verb to mean providing a background for something, as in The towering trees backdropped the outdoor photo shoot. Example: The film took place against the backdrop of World War II and featured major events from the war.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of backdrop
Explanation
A backdrop is the scenery that hangs behind the actors in a play. You might help to paint the backdrop for your school's production of "The Sound of Music." The backdrop is an important part of a theater production, since it provides a setting for a play or sets a mood for a musical performance. If you're watching a local version of "Oliver!" the backdrop might be designed to look like a London street scene, for example. The noun backdrop comes from US theater slang, from a combination of back and drop around 1913.
Vocabulary lists containing backdrop
Drama
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Awkward
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Theater - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The precious metal continues to be pressured by a hawkish monetary policy backdrop ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, says Critical Metals’ Tony Sage in commentary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
Against this backdrop, Trump signed an executive order in August 2025 aimed at boosting the US space industry.
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
The bridge fallout comes against a backdrop of a challenging trade dispute with Canada and the US.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Against this backdrop, a 6% 30-year Treasury yield looks increasingly possible.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
Enormous screens stretching from floor to ceiling line the walls, as well as the backdrop of the main stage, rotating through an animatic of each Warcross team.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Hilton said he did a lot of his production work outside, as there are a variety of luxurious backdrops ideal for his commentary.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
The ground is situated in the city's downtown and once you are inside it, it has one of the best backdrops I've experienced in football.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
He designed sets for plays and backdrops for operas and—using an iPad—created a hawthorn-blossom pattern for a stained-glass window in Westminster Abbey to honor the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
That difference shows up clearly when comparing the pre-inflation backdrops.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
“Here we’ve got all these lovely things that could be used in the backdrops of your scenes. Everyone is used to renting from Fong See On Company, but we have some truly unique pieces.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
“It’s the corner of the business with momentum tailwinds, backdropped by AI’s insatiable appetite for energy.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2025
In Early August, my partner and I were awakened by a loud alarm on his phone: “Earthquake alert, earthquake alert,” the phone warned with escalating intensity, backdropped by a soundtrack of fake sirens.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2022
“Maybe they’re taking biometrics, but you need biometrics taken beforehand that you can compare them to,” Johnson said at a news conference backdropped by the gates of the fort.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 28, 2021
The rust was evident, but not among the musicians who took the small stage backdropped by a Boeing 747.
From Seattle Times ● May 13, 2021
Jam looked at her reflection, backdropped by the creature, then wiped her hands over her face.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
Frank tapped L.A. painter Jessalyn Brooks to paint a colorful mural on the cinderblock wall backdropping the pool.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2024
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
