ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bandwidth

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbændwɪdθ// UK //bˈændwɪdθ// band·width Informal

n. the mental energy or time you have available to deal with a task. You use this when you are too busy or tired to take on more work.

n. the mental capacity, time, or emotional resources required to handle a specific task or situation. Originally a technical term for data transfer, it is now widely used in professional contexts to describe human cognitive limits.


SIMPLE

I don't have the bandwidth to start a new project this week.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager asked if anyone had the bandwidth to help with the client presentation before Friday's deadline.

COMPLEX

While the proposal is intellectually stimulating, the current restructuring has left the department with very little bandwidth for experimental ventures that do not offer immediate returns.

Origin

From band + width.

Usage

Typically used with 'have' or 'lack'; often paired with the preposition 'for' or a 'to-infinitive'.

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