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REFERENCE

band

US //ˈbænd// UK //bˈænd// band
  1. 1 musical group (n.)
    A1 Beginner Music

    a group of people who play music together.

    a group of musicians who perform together as an ensemble, typically in popular, jazz, or brass genres.

    Example

    My brother plays the drums in a rock band with his friends.

    Example

    The local jazz band performed every Saturday night at the cellar club, attracting a loyal following of enthusiasts from across the city.
  2. 2 strip of material (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a thin, flat piece of material used to hold things together or as a decoration.

    a thin, flat strip of flexible material used for binding, strengthening, or decorative purposes.

    Example

    She used a rubber band to keep the loose papers together.

    Example

    The designer added a gold band around the waist of the dress to provide a subtle contrast against the dark silk.
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  1. 3 group of people (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small group of people who have the same goal or purpose.

    a group of people loosely united for a common purpose or sharing a common identity.

    Example

    A small band of volunteers worked all night to clean up the park.

    Example

    A determined band of protesters gathered outside the embassy, demanding immediate changes to the international trade agreement.
  2. 4 radio frequency range (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Physics

    a specific range of radio waves or light.

    a designated range of frequencies or wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum.

    Example

    The radio station broadcasts on the FM band.

    Example

    The satellite operates on a high-frequency band to ensure that data transmission remains stable even during severe weather conditions.
  3. 5 large amount of money (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    a slang word for one thousand dollars.

    a slang term for a thousand dollars, originally referring to the paper strip used to wrap a stack of cash.

    Example

    He spent a few bands on a new designer jacket.

    Example

    The rapper bragged about having fifty bands in his pocket while standing in front of his new sports car.
  4. 6 to join together (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to join with other people to do something as a group.

    to form a group or confederacy for a common purpose; often used with 'together'.

    Example

    The neighbors decided to band together to stop the new highway.

    Example

    Local businesses banded together to create a marketing campaign that would encourage residents to shop on the high street.
  5. 7 to put a strip on (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    to put a small ring or strip around something, often to identify it.

    to fasten a band around an object or animal, typically for identification or structural reinforcement.

    Example

    Scientists band birds to track where they fly during the winter.

    Example

    The researchers spent the afternoon banding the migratory geese before releasing them back into the wildlife sanctuary.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *bandiz Old English bend Middle English band English band Inherited from Middle English band (also bond), from Old English beand, bænd, bend (“bond, chain, fetter, band, ribbon, ornament, chaplet, crown”), from Proto-Germanic bandą, bandiz (“band, fetter”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to tie, bind”). Middle English band reinforced by Old French bande. Cognate with Dutch band, German Band, Danish bånd, Swedish band, Icelandic band (“band”). Related to bond, bind, bend.

Etymology 2

Derived from Middle English band, from Old French bande, from Old Occitan banda (“regiment of troops”), perhaps from Frankish bend, from Proto-Germanic bandiz, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to tie; bond, band”). Compare German Bande (“band”).

Idioms4 entries

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