-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
background music
noun
: music to accompany the dialogue or action of a motion picture or radio or television drama
Examples of background music in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Radio as background music had been common for decades.
—
Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025
Chase certainly doesn't seem to regard Adele as calming, background music.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Spotify hit on the idea of playlists, a way of curating songs to be background music
The music industry in 2006 was desperate, having been kneecapped by piracy — first Napster, then a host of file-sharing applications.
—
Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025
Unknown The evil bastards who program supermarket background music.
—
Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for background music 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1928, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near background music
Cite this Entry
“Background music.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/background%20music. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
background music
noun
: music played to go along with and add to the story or mood of a movie or radio or television show
More from Merriam-Webster on background music
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share