Accompaniment
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of accompanying someone or something in order to protect them
(2) A subordinate musical part; provides background for more important parts
(3) An event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
WiktionaryText
Noun
- That which gives support or adds to the background in music, or adds for ornamentation.
- That which accompanies; something that attends as a circumstance, or which is added to give greater completeness to the principal thing, or by way of ornament, or for the sake of symmetry.
- A part performed by instruments, accompanying another part or parts performed by voices; the subordinate part, or parts, accompanying the voice or a principal instrument; also, the harmony of a figured bass.