background noise
noun
: undesired sound that is heard in a radio broadcast, a tape recording, etc.
The recording had a lot of background noise.
Examples of background noise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The law exists only as background noise, something that applies to other people, lesser people, invisible people.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
That decision reinforces Austin’s reputation not just as a live-music city but as a place where albums still matter, where listening is an act, not background noise.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
The result is clearer calls, no ugly boom mic and far less background noise.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Other common coping behaviors include leaving the television on as background noise, scrolling between tasks throughout the day or using phones during meals and conversations.
—Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for background noise
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Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
That decision reinforces Austin’s reputation not just as a live-music city but as a place where albums still matter, where listening is an act, not background noise.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
The result is clearer calls, no ugly boom mic and far less background noise.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Other common coping behaviors include leaving the television on as background noise, scrolling between tasks throughout the day or using phones during meals and conversations.
—Robin Pickering, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for background noise
Cite this Entry
“Background noise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/background%20noise. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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