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 AmericaJoseph Nocera

Examples of white noise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What regular season? Entering their second-round playoff series against a Celtics team that has had their number all season, the Knicks are tuning it out like white noise. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025 The middle speed settings sound more like white noise. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025 But such tales struggle to take hold in a 24/7 media environment dominated by white noise if not for our villains. Patrick Riccards, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Everything is just loud, and there’s like white noise behind you. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for white noise

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of white noise was in 1943

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“White noise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20noise. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on white noise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!