pink noise

American  

[pingk noiz] / ˈpɪŋk ˈnɔɪz /

noun

Physics.

1. a noise signal related to white noise but lacking uniformity, having less power at higher frequencies and more power at lower frequencies; a gentle, steady background sound, like lapping waves or windblown leaves, that filters out distracting or sleep-disturbing noises: higher in pitch than brown noise.

---

pink noise British  

noun

1. noise containing a mixture of frequencies, but excluding higher frequencies

---

Etymology

Origin of pink noise

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pink noise

These included exposure to aircraft noise, pink noise alone, a combination of aircraft noise and pink noise, and aircraft noise while wearing earplugs.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 4, 2026

There’s a growing buzz around pink noise, brown noise, green noise — a rainbow of soothing sounds — and their theoretical effects on sleep, concentration and the relaxation response.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

As soon as the readings indicated that the subject had fallen into deep sleep, the computer played a series of very brief tones at certain frequencies, called pink noise, which sound like static.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2023

For example, pink noise has reduced higher frequencies, which can resemble noises like rainfall or a waterfall.

From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2023

Specifically, when analyzing how much power each frequency component within a musical piece tends to have, scientists find the same distribution as in pink noise.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 19, 2020