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.

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pink noise British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of pink noise

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

A study from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, published in the journal Sleep, found that pink noise reduced REM sleep and disrupted overall sleep recovery.

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