backstory
noun
back·story
ˈbak-ˌstȯr-ē 
: a story that tells what led up to the main story or plot (as of a film)
Examples of backstory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The backstory The hotel is the flagship of Montcalm Collection as well as part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, a group of independent hotels known for their idiosyncratic character and atmospheres.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Throughout, Burnett would break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience in exposition-heavy monologues to explain a character’s backstory.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
The signs dive into the backstory of landmarks like Fort Revere Park, where the high ground offers a clear look at the Boston Harbor.
—Cheryl Maguire, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
And those problems are magnified in the slack middle section of this 160-minute film, as the hunters make discoveries of their own in the forest, unnecessary subplots and aliens multiply, and there are some halfhearted attempts at giving them a thin backstory.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstory
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.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Throughout, Burnett would break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience in exposition-heavy monologues to explain a character’s backstory.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
The signs dive into the backstory of landmarks like Fort Revere Park, where the high ground offers a clear look at the Boston Harbor.
—Cheryl Maguire, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
And those problems are magnified in the slack middle section of this 160-minute film, as the hunters make discoveries of their own in the forest, unnecessary subplots and aliens multiply, and there are some halfhearted attempts at giving them a thin backstory.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backstory
Cite this Entry
“Backstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backstory. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
