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Glite Dictionary
line noise

line noise

6.7
An unwanted sound that makes phone or audio signals hard to hear
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : ruido de línea
  • The actual effective throughput will be lower due to overheads (losses) arising from the transmission protocol used; data packet retransmissions caused by line noise, weather interference, and also congested intermediate networks.

Examples

  • The engineer measured the line noise on the communication line, noting how it affected the call quality.

  • For a while, there was only line noise: me at a pay phone in Redding, and Beth sitting around back home.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Is the unit affected adversely by electromagnetic interference or power line noise?

    Academic text (1990)

  • Radio JOVE participants will soon learn, however, that if power-line noise is a problem, the project equipment is very portable and that you can work with your local power company to locate and correct the problems causing the interference.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Interference from nearby electrical devices increased the line noise, resulting in static during the conversation.

  • To improve signal clarity, we had to address the line noise that was disrupting our audio feed.

Synonyms

noise
vsline noise
  • Specialized
172 5.6

Extra sounds or information that hide the main message

focuses on electrical or audio disruption within a communication line
interference
vsline noise
  • Specialized
93 6.6

Unwanted signals that disturb or block radio and phone communication

is found along a communication line degrading signal quality
electrical disturbance
vsline noise
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Unwanted electric signals that make devices not work properly

applies specifically to unwanted signals within a communication line degrading quality

How Noisy

interference
  • Specialized
93 6.6
line noise
  • Specialized
6.7
hum
85 1.0

Surface Forms

line noise singular
line noises plural

Morphology

line + noise

The meaning 'unwanted electrical or audio interference in a communication channel' is directly and compositionally derived from 'line' (a channel or connection) + 'noise' (unwanted/random signal). This straightforward compound follows common technical and everyday usage patterns and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Line noise comes from the simple picture of a wire or phone line carrying sound that is full of extra noise like buzzing or static. That's why it means 'unwanted sound or signal on a phone or other connection'.