1. The execution of low priority programs while higher priority programs are not using the processing system
   "The computer performed virus scans as a backgrounding task while the user worked on other applications";
   - background processing

1. Understate the importance or quality of
   "The politician tried to background his involvement in the scandal";
   - play down, downplay
    
2. Provide or form a background
   "The artist backgrounded the portrait with a forest scene"

Type of: accent, accentuate, emphasise [Brit], emphasize, priority processing, punctuate, stress

Antonym: foreground

Encyclopedia: Backgrounding