white noise

noun

1

a

: a heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range compare pink noise

b

: a constant background noise

especially : one that drowns out other sounds

2

: meaningless or distracting commotion, hubbub, or chatter

the white noise of policy and politics in America

—Joseph Nocera

Examples of white noise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The white noise never cuts out during the video, nor is there any indication of a message broadcast from the speaker. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

Sounds include white noise, lullabies and more entertaining beats, the company said. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025

Sounds include white noise, lullabies, bird chirps and upbeat tunes. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

They’re built into a comfortable headband that can slip over your eyes and ears simultaneously and connect to any smartphone to play your favorite white noise. —Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

white noise

noun

1

: an even mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range

2

: a constant background noise

especially : one that drowns out other sounds

Medical Definition

white noise

noun

: a heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range that has been used to mask out unwanted noise interfering with sleep

called also white sound