background music

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of background music¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Let’s be clear: He is a gifted artist who labors for years over his albums, perfecting each lyric and sonic detail, so this is not to suggest that he crafts his records to function as background music.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 23-minute work is set to music by Venezuelan-born electronic composer Arca, whose techno-inflected soundscape serves as background music more than it spurs the dance’s movement: Think spluttery and raspy sonorities, here; resonant chime-like ones, there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her wig was heavy, her part was “background music” and the one time Marlon Brando spoke to her, he said, “Nice tits.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Like background music behind the compilation of a lifetime of spring trips, boat days, and springtime weeks at home with my flower-babies, some planted and nursed from infancy, Banana Cake tastes of easy times, of breakfast casseroles, boiled shrimp and toasted, open-faced pimento cheese and cucumber sandwiches.

Read more on Salon

“It’s just nice background music,” De Veer recalled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times