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

And if you’re feeling compelled to listen to your own chants, white noises, meditations, etc. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Mar. 2026

Other room accessories like adding black-out curtains or a white noise machine are also worth testing out. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026

More picks for sleep Continue below for everything from white noise machines to smart alarm clocks, air purifiers, humidifiers and wearable tech. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

In these walls of white noise, Martin channels Paysage d’Hiver, a Swiss black-metal artist who has made a whole career—and a lot of lore—out of approximating winter storms through blindingly white guitar fuzz and overwhelming dark-ambient atmospheres. —Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 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