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

Katherine Ryan couldn’t look any more serene sitting in the dark with her laptop open, white noise machine humming and an infant sleeping in her arms. —Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Cue the candles, white noise, and movie marathon. —Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Jan. 2026

Josephson likes to turn down the volume on the outside world, cocooning her readers in the white noise of affirmation. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

Select a white noise playlist and turn the noise cancellation all the way up. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

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