Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: 'quarreling, noise', from Latin nausea; NAUSEA

noise

1 noun
     
Related topics: Colours and Sounds, Computers, Electrical
noise1 S2 W2
1 [uncountable and countable]C a sound, especially one that is loud, unpleasant, or frightening [= sound]:
What's that noise?
noise of
the noise of the traffic
Try not to make a noise when you go upstairs.
gurgling/banging/crackling etc noise
There was a strange whistling noise in his ears.
There was a lot of noise outside.
Noise levels have been reduced by 20%.
traffic/engine/background etc noise
the problem of aircraft noise near airports
2

(make) encouraging/optimistic etc noises (about something)

British English to say things which suggest what your opinion or attitude is, without saying it directly:
Both sides were making hopeful noises about the hostages.
3

make (all) the right noises (about something)

to say the things that other people want or expect to hear:
The health minister seems to be making all the right noises.
4

make noises about doing something

to say that you are considering doing something:
He is now making noises about starting his own business.
5

make a (lot of) noise about something

British English to talk about something a lot, so that people will notice it - used in order to show disapproval:
modern men who make a noise about the fact that they know how to look good
6 [uncountable] technicalTPETEE unwanted signals produced by an electrical circuit
7TD [uncountable] technicalTD pieces of unwanted information that can prevent a computer from working effectively
8

noises off

the sounds, voices etc that come from actors who are not on the stage at the time
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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