ambient music

noun
1.
Also called ambient. a genre of instrumental music that focuses on sound patterns more than melodic form and is used to create a certain atmosphere or state of mind.
2.
background music.
Contemporary definitions for ambient music
noun

a music genre that is mainly instrumental, featuring electronics and inconsistent beat and intended create a relaxing or peaceful atmosphere or mood

Examples

Ambient music is known by many names -- ambience, new age, experimental, chillout, mood music, world music -- and has variations like ambient techno and ambient trance.

Word Origin

based on ambient meaning 'surrounding'

Usage Note

music