soundscape

[ sound-skeyp ]

noun

1. the component sounds of an environment.
2. the component sounds of a piece of music.

Word History and Origins

Origin of soundscape¹

First recorded in 1965–70; sound ¹( def ) + -scape ( def )

Example Sentences

A polished fully-in-control confidence over a truly unpredictable avant garde flow, Saafir was like a glitch in the rap soundscape that listeners couldn’t turn their head from.

From Los Angeles Times

Soundscape environmental composer Annea Lockwood dived deep into gripping, gurgling water sounds that were electronically enhanced and got the joint jumping with her piano percussion duo “Jitterbug,” performed by Vicki Ray and Wesley Sumpter.

From Los Angeles Times

The resulting lush and exotic soundscape, featuring plaintive pan flute and sprinkled with birdsong, turned out to be perfect for the game’s spooktastic forest levels.

From New York Times

“Tomorrow,” after intermission, contained 24 blissful minutes of bass, percussion, flute, guitar and vocal noodling over a recorded soundscape of environmental noise.

From Los Angeles Times

I put the hearing aids on for my first lecture of the week, fully expecting to experience the joy of a regular soundscape.

From Slate