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

The denigrations-as-distraction are just more of the same marginal white noise that has always hovered around the pro-Palestine movement. —Talia Jane, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024

It’s gotten so bad that some firms are pumping in white noise to make offices appear more crowded, according to Alex Birch, co-founder and CEO of XY Sense, an Australian maker of workplace sensors. —Matthew Boyle, Fortune Europe, 16 Feb. 2024

Thinking of the sounds cicadas exude as white noise. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2024

Within the white noise of workaday sedans and SUVs, the SS’s gleaming chrome and enormous proportions make the surrounding world look ordinary and banal. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2023

Best overall white noise machine White Noise Machine Its attractive, neutral appearance blends into the decor of any bedroom setup, but there are many reasons Tuft & Needle’s white noise machine is our favorite. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024

The machine’s sound options, which include white noise, rain, and wind, are designed to be soft and soothing for all ages, including babies. —Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024

It was designed for parents to help soothe their babies on the go with any of its 10 sounds: white noise, ocean, rain, water, wind, dryer, fan, rock-a-bye, heartbeat, and hush. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2024

But directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. don’t always know what to do with it, and for every set piece that does work, there are many more that simply mistake frenetic cutting, fit-to-burst framing, and white noise as moviemaking. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024

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