backdrop

American  

[bak-drop] / ˈbækˌdrɒp /

noun

1. especially British, back-cloth.  Theater. the rear curtain of a stage setting.

2. the background of an event; setting.

3. 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.

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verb (used with object)

backdropped, backdropt, backdropping

1. to provide a setting or background for.

   A vast mountain range backdrops the broad expanse of lake.

backdrop British  

/ ˈbækˌdrɒp /

noun

1. another name for backcloth

2. the background to any scene or situation

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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.

Etymology

Origin of backdrop

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; back ¹ + drop

Example Sentences

"Overnight they became our offices, sanctuaries and emotional anchors," he says, adding that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness feels rather tone-deaf".

From BBC

“While there have been a select few transactions in the space, these have been concentrated on asset sales by distressed operators, and we expect the M&A backdrop to now improve,” Tyghe added.

From MarketWatch

Against the backdrop of recent kidnappings, governors and traditional chiefs from 19 northern states recently dubbed illegal mining a "major contributory factor to the security crises".

From Barron's

The economic backdrop bodes well for equities next year, she says, with the Federal Reserve likely to continue easing monetary policy, while the passage of new tax legislation earlier this year will benefit corporations.

From Barron's

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 46000 for the first time—as the stock market methodically rises against a backdrop of new tariffs and concerns on the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• scenery