active noise control

noun

Technology that uses microphones to detect unwanted sound waves and then generates an opposite, "anti-noise" sound wave (180 degrees out of phase) through speakers, causing both waves to cancel each other out (destructive interference) for a quieter experience, best for steady, low-frequency sounds like engine hums.

“Near-synonym: noise cancellation”

Similar
active noise cancellationnoise cancellation
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Meanings

nounactive noise control (plural active noise controls)

plural active noise controls

  1. audioTechnology that uses microphones to detect unwanted sound waves and then generates an opposite, "anti-noise" sound wave (180 degrees out of phase) through speakers, causing both waves to cancel each other out (destructive interference) for a quieter experience, best for steady, low-frequency sounds like engine hums.

    Near-synonym: noise cancellation

    Synonyms: active noise cancellation, noise cancellation

Synonyms & antonyms

nounTechnology that uses microphones to detect unwanted sound waves and then generates an opposite, "anti-noise" sound wave (180 degrees out of phase) through speakers, causing both waves to cancel each other out (destructive interference) for a quieter experience, best for steady, low-frequency sounds like engine hums.

Similar
active noise cancellationnoise cancellation
Also see
active noise cancellation
Cite this entry
APA

active noise control. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/active%20noise%20control

MLA

“active noise control.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/active%20noise%20control. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “active noise control,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/active%20noise%20control.

Source: active noise control on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.