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

An option often recommended for parents with young children struggling to sleep the benefits of white noise as a sleep aid for infants was most notably highlighted in a 1990 study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

There are five different sound options, including gentle music, shushing, nature, deep breathing, and white noise. —Anja Webb, Parents, 9 July 2025

Rather than simply masking conversations with traditional white noise, digital platforms are actively disrupting recording devices to provide a higher level of security. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Add their favorite blanket or toy, and consider playing calming music or white noise to help muffle outside sounds. —FOXNews.com, 3 July 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