One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.

"The lawyer had a background in computer science."

A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.

Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.

A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).

"The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait."

The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).

A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.

"The antivirus program is running in the background."

To put in a position that is not prominent.

To gather and provide background information (on).

Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.

"The antivirus program runs on a background thread."