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

Use white noise machines at as low a volume as possible, for as short a time as possible, and as far away from the baby as possible. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 Nov. 2023

There are white noise machines that play all night. —Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2023

For those real life princess-and-the-pea types, successfully dozing off requires all manner of sleep aids, with a white noise machine often being the bedroom VIP. —Leigh-Ann Jackson, wsj.com, 19 Oct. 2023

Instead, the bombshell news slipped into the same slow drip of revelations that have turned Trump’s perpetual legal reckonings into the networks’ white noise. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2023

New parents and frequent fliers alike will appreciate this travel-size white noise machine. —Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 12 Oct. 2023

For meditations, users will be able to follow voice prompts, set intentions, and listen to white noise like ocean sounds. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 30 Aug. 2023

And it’s even got a white noise machine attached to it! —Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2023

As with all buckwheat pillows, some reviewers note that the hulls can be a bit noisy, but others find the crunchy rustle to be comforting white noise. —Good Housekeeping, 5 July 2023

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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