Pronunciation: [stɹˈiːt nˈɔ͡ɪz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "street noise" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "street," is spelled as /striːt/ with the long 'ee' sound represented by the double 'ee' and the 't' at the end indicating a stop consonant. The second syllable, "noise," is spelled as /nɔɪz/ with the 'oi' representing the diphthong sound of "oy." Together, the word is pronounced as /striːt nɔɪz/.
Street noise refers to the collective sounds and auditory disturbances that occur in urban and suburban areas as a result of human and vehicular activities taking place primarily on roads and streets. It encompasses the various noises and sounds that are produced by vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and bicycles as they move along roads and streets. Additionally, it includes the noises generated by the interaction of these vehicles with the infrastructure, such as the rumble and vibrations caused by passing trains, trams, or subway systems.
Moreover, street noise also incorporates sounds originating from pedestrians, such as conversations, footsteps, and other human activities taking place on sidewalks and streets. It can involve the ambient noise created by diverse urban activities, including construction work, outdoor music events, street vendors, sirens from emergency vehicles like police cars and ambulances, and even animals like barking dogs.
Street noise is often characterized by its loudness, density, and irregularity. It can contribute to a significant increase in the overall noise pollution levels in an area, affecting the quality of life for residents and workers nearby. Excessive exposure to street noise can have negative impacts on well-being, causing annoyance, stress, sleep disturbances, and even affecting health in the long term.
Efforts to mitigate street noise include the use of noise barriers, city planning and zoning regulations, soundproofing techniques, and the development of quieter transportation systems and vehicles.
The etymology of the word "street" can be traced back to the Old English word "stræt", which originally referred to a paved road or path. It derived from the Late Latin word "strāta" meaning "paved road" or "street". The word was further influenced by the Old French word "estreit", meaning "narrow", hence the association of streets with being narrow pathways.
The word "noise" originated from the Middle English word "noys", which meant "clamor" or "uproar". It evolved from the Old French word "noise", which had a similar meaning. The Old French term was likely influenced by the Latin word "nausea", meaning "disgust" or "seasickness". Over time, "noise" came to refer to any loud, discordant, or unpleasant sound.
