white noise

American  

[wahyt noiz, hwahyt] / ˈwaɪt ˈnɔɪz, ˈʰwaɪt /

noun

1. Also called broadband noise.  Physics. a noise signal with a uniform frequency spectrum over a wide range of frequencies.

2. Also called white sound.  Informal. any steady, unobtrusive sound or pattern of sounds recorded from nature or produced electronically and used to mask unwanted noise or fill a discomforting silence.

   You can program the machine to play ocean waves, a rainforest, a thunderstorm, or whatever white noise helps you to relax.

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white noise British  

noun

1. 1. sound or electrical noise that has a relatively wide continuous range of frequencies of uniform intensity

   2. noise containing all frequencies rising in level by six decibels every octave

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Etymology

Origin of white noise

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

white noise

There was something calming and oceanic about the rhythm of rolls and cracks around her, blending with the ambient murmur of banter and gossip into white noise.

From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026

We went to the Norton Simon Museum together in November, on the kind of gray Pasadena day when the 210 Freeway roars in the background like white noise.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026

"At some point, it becomes a bit of a white noise," he said.

From Barron's ● Jan. 7, 2026

From counting sheep to trying white noise or using weighted blankets, people have explored countless ways to improve their sleep.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2025

The sounds of the planets make for a great conversation starter if you have people to talk to, but if you don’t, they make for great white noise when you’re going to sleep.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera