background music

American  

noun

1. music, often recorded, intended to provide a soothing background, usually played over loudspeaker systems in public places, as railway stations or restaurants.

2. music composed specifically to accompany and heighten the mood of a visual production, as a movie.

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Etymology

Origin of background music

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

A speech Bass delivered at Raman’s rally in Sherman Oaks was turned into a social media video with stirring background music.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

This is part of the background music in America: Americans who aren’t unemployed and do have a house are afraid that in the next few years they could lose their job, their security.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

In the past year, Trump has attended at least four such events, often making fighter-style entrances with background music and an entourage.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

Set the tone by playing soft background music that complements the setting of your outdoor dinner party.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

The background music is one more irritation on top of squeaky shopping cart wheels, and people asking “Do you have shallots?” and “Where is the kosher salt?”

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari