backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp 

1

: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage

2

: background

backdrop transitive verb

Synonyms

• background
• ground

Examples of backdrop in a Sentence

The mountains provided a perfect backdrop for the wedding photos.

The novel unfolds against a backdrop of war.

The city provides the backdrop for the love story.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the pause comes amid a backdrop of daily skirmishes, largely by drone warfare. —Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 10 May 2025

The high neckline makes an excellent backdrop to show off a necklace stack. —Emily Weaver, People.com, 9 May 2025

North Zealand’s beautiful beaches provide a picture perfect backdrop to coastal towns filled with art, culture, castles and the most charming historic bath hotels. —Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

The sequel takes audiences from the idyllic suburbs of Connecticut to the glamorous backdrop of the Italian Riviera, where an extravagant wedding unravels into a web of mystery, deception, and deadly secrets. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backdrop

• atop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop
• laptop

Kids Definition

backdrop

noun

back·​drop ˈbak-ˌdräp 

1

: a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage

2

: background sense 1, 3a