backgrounder
Americannoun
-
a briefing for the press in which an official, often from government or business, gives background information to clarify particular policies, actions, or newsworthy issues, with the understanding that the official will not be named or quoted directly in any resulting press reports.
-
any briefing or report for the purpose of providing background information.
Etymology
Origin of backgrounder
An Americanism dating back to 1955–60; background + -er 1
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.
In the dossier, he found a backgrounder on the student’s parents along with their address.
From Salon • Jan. 7, 2025
There’s a useful backgrounder on Householder and the case here: Are you just learning about Larry Householder following his arrest?
From The Guardian • Jul. 30, 2020
Thompson also provides a backgrounder on how visual symbols have been historically wielded socially and politically.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2017
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella described Duterte's presentation as a "backgrounder" for Filipinos about the strife in Mindanao and to explain his independent foreign policy.
From Reuters • Sep. 13, 2016
A promising backgrounder for the “Downton Abbey” crowd.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2013
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.
