Støyen

Støyen is the definite form of the Norwegian noun støy, which denotes noise or a disturbance caused by sound. In everyday Norwegian, støyen is used to refer to unwanted or disruptive sound in the environment, such as traffic, construction, or loud conversations. The term is also used in technical contexts such as acoustics, electronics, and signal processing, where støy describes random or unwanted components in a signal.

Støy is a masculine common noun; the indefinite form is støy, while the definite form is støyen; the plural definite is støyene. The corresponding adjectives include støyende meaning noisy, and compound terms such as støynivå (noise level), støyreduksjon (noise reduction), and støyfri (noise-free).

In regulation and planning, støy is a central concept in environmental noise management. Authorities assess and manage støy from traffic, industry, and workplaces, and set limits and guidelines for acceptable levels. Noise levels are typically measured in decibels (dB) and can be described using metrics such as Leq, Lden, or Lmax, depending on context.

The term is widely used across media, academia, and policy discussions in Norwegian-speaking regions, reflecting concerns about health, comfort, and urban livability related to environmental noise.