rumore

Rumore is the Italian word for noise and is used in both everyday language and technical contexts. In general use, it denotes unwanted or disturbing sound, as well as any fluctuating, non-speech background noise that obscures signals or events. In scientific disciplines, rumore can also refer to random or stochastic variations that interfere with measurements or communications, not to a deliberate signal.

In acoustics and environmental science, rumore is studied as ambient or environmental noise, arising from traffic, industry, weather, and human activity. Noise levels are quantified using sound pressure in decibels (dB). To reflect human sensitivity, measurements are often filtered with weighting curves such as A-weighting, yielding dB(A) values that better represent perceived loudness.

In electronics and physics, electrical rumore comprises random fluctuations that obscure signals. Common categories include thermal (Johnson-Nyquist) noise, shot noise, flicker (1/f) noise, and burst noise. These phenomena place fundamental limits on the performance of sensors, amplifiers, and communication systems, especially at low signal levels.

Regulatory and planning contexts treat rumore as noise pollution. Many jurisdictions set daytime and nighttime limits, require impact assessments, and promote mitigation measures such as sound insulation, barriers, traffic management, and urban design to reduce exposure for residents and workers.

Etymology and usage: In Italian, rumore covers both ordinary “noise” and technical meanings in acoustics and electronics, reflecting its broad sense of fluctuating or disruptive sound and signal variations.