backgrounder

noun

back·​ground·​er ˈbak-ˌ(g)rau̇n-dər How to pronounce backgrounder (audio)
1
: an off-the-record briefing for reporters
2
: something (such as an essay) that provides background information about a particular subject
She believes birds are the best model for understanding human language. But before making her argument, she offers a highly informative backgrounder on bird song.K. C. Cole

Examples of backgrounder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to a brand backgrounder, As Form’s library and features expanded, the founders discovered that the true driver of growth was the platform’s user community. Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 In a 2021 backgrounder, a nonprofit organization called the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force, which attempts to improve relations between immigrants and police agencies, detailed state policies on hiring noncitizens as peace officers. Tom Condon, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2024 In fact, no small portion of the Royal Swedish Academy’s technical backgrounder (PDF) released to the media this morning could have also been cribbed from this in-depth Spectrum consideration of nearly a quarter-century ago. Tekla S. Perry, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Oct. 2023 From white papers or backgrounders to blog posts or Twitter threads designed for nontechnical audiences, actively look to accessibly share your sector expertise and encourage other leaders on the team to do the same. Jaime Leverton, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 For more thoughts on this subject, see this backgrounder by T. Rowe Price. Tom Herman, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021 In some countries, LGBTQ+ people face danger and imprisonment according to The Council on Foreign Relation's backgrounder. Devon Link, USA TODAY, 9 June 2021 Intelligence analysts provide backgrounders on potential threats. Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2020 Getty Images/Science Source Before diving into the current outbreak more deeply, let’s pause for a quick backgrounder on Ebola. Julia Belluz, Vox, 11 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backgrounder was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near backgrounder

Cite this Entry

“Backgrounder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backgrounder. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!