noise pollution

American  

noun

1. unwanted or harmful noise, as from automobiles, airplanes, or industrial workplaces.

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noise pollution British  

noun

1. annoying or harmful noise in an environment

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noise pollution Scientific  

/ noiz /

1. Environmental noise, as from vehicles or machinery, that is annoying, distracting, or physically harmful. The physical effects can include hearing loss, tinnitus, stress, and sleeplessness. Noise pollution is usually considered in terms of its effects on human populations, though it is known to affect wildlife as well.

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Etymology

Origin of noise pollution

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

noise pollution

For wildlife tourism operators, going electric is a way to lower emissions and reduce noise pollution in natural habitats.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

McCollum had only heard about the tech park from a neighbor in February 2025—and immediately grew concerned, having already seen reports about big data centers’ impacts in residential Georgia, from water use to noise pollution.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

Even noise pollution from constant humming of the servers impacts local quality of life.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

Its population is so low that there are few neighbors around to notice or protest any potential noise pollution or other environmental effects from the data centers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

Then the development of the steamship in the nineteenth century introduced an ominous source of noise pollution.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan