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

Returning to the topic of the internet’s white noise, Levy said that if a filmmaker can’t mute it, they will get lost in that fog, which will affect a movie’s quality. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

In the German Colony neighborhood, where my family lives, the constant, low growl of fighter jets has become a kind of white noise. —Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

The Dohm uses a real fan for natural white noise with no screens or light emissions. —Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Some can’t rest without white noise, a fan, or blackout curtains, while others prefer to wake with the sun and have total silence. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 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