noise

2.32  noise. (a) Undesired sound. By extension, noise is any unwanted disturbance within a useful frequency band, such as undesired electric waves in a transmission channel or device. (b) Erratic, intermittent, or statistically random oscillation.

Annotation 1          If ambiguity exists as to the nature of the noise a phrase such as “acoustic noise” or “electric noise” should be used.

Annotation 2          Since definitions 2.32 (a) and (b) are not mutually exclusive, it is usually necessary to depend upon context for the distinction.