WordNet
n. extraneous noise contaminating sound measurements that cannot be separated from the desired signal [syn: background noise]
Wikipedia
In electronics, ground noise is electronic noise on the ground wires or busses of an electronic circuit. In audio, radio, and digital equipment it represents an undesirable condition since the noise can get into the signal path of the device, appearing as interference in the output. Like other types of electronic noise it can manifest in audio equipment as a hum, hiss, distortion or other unwanted sound in the speakers, in analog video equipment as "snow" on the screen, and in digital circuits and control systems as erratic or faulty operation or computer " crashes". A major source of ground noise is ground loops created by improper interconnection of audio, video or computer components.
Usage examples of "ground noise".
Link had heard only the back-ground noise, a continual shrill yapping, but now he heard individual voices.
The two women walked into a kitchen full of the murmurs of gentle feminine voices and the clanking of stacking dishes, with an occasional laugh punctuating the back- ground noise.
By mixing the signal with the freighters they'll think it's just back ground noise and ignore it, but the computers in Rush Tower will see it and forward it for us!