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

Not with a whimper but with a siren wail that long ago converted to white noise in our collective hearing; a global tinnitus like the hum of a fridge; the quiet roar of the Greenland ice sheet slipping into the Musk Ocean. —Reuven Perlman, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

That said, evidence suggests that a simple intervention such as a white noise machine can meaningfully enhance student relaxation and recovery. —Kira Golenko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The white noise came to life again on Monday when cryptic voice messages of numbers and letters were heard, sparking a lively discussion on social media. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

Most parents play white noise sounds, but some play lullabies to soothe their newborn at night. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for white noise

• counterpoise
• equipoise
• alloys
• annoys
• carboys
• convoys
• cowboys
• deploys
• destroys
• employes
• employs
• enjoys

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