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¹band

noun \ˈband\

Definition of BAND

: something that confines or constricts while allowing a degree of movement

: something that binds or restrains legally, morally, or spiritually

: a strip serving to join or hold things together: as

a : belt 2

b : a cord or strip across the back of a book to which the sections are sewn

: a thin flat encircling strip: as

a : a close-fitting strip that confines material at the waist, neck, or cuff of clothing

b : a strip of cloth used to protect a newborn baby's navel —called also bellyband

c : a ring of elastic

a : a strip (as of living tissue or rock) or a stripe (as on an animal) differentiable (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent material or area

b : a more or less well-defined range of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies

c : range 7a

: a narrow strip serving chiefly as decoration: as

a : a narrow strip of material applied as trimming to an article of dress

b plural : a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress

c : a ring without raised portions

: track 1e(2)

Origin of BAND

in senses 1 & 2, from Middle English band, bond something that constricts, from Old Norse band; akin to Old English bindan to bind; in other senses, from Middle English bande strip, from Middle French, from Vulgar Latin *binda, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German binta fillet; akin to Old English bindan to bind, bend fetter — more at bind

First Known Use: 12th century

Rhymes with BAND

bland, brand, canned, gland, grand, hand, land, manned, NAND, rand, sand, Sand, stand, strand

²band

verb

Definition of BAND

transitive verb

: to affix a band to or tie up with a band

: to finish or decorate with a band

: to gather together : unite <banded themselves together for protection>

intransitive verb

: to unite for a common purpose —often used with together <have banded together in hopes of attacking the blight that is common to them all — J. B. Conant>

— band·er noun

See band defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of BAND

15th century

Related to BAND

Synonyms: gird, begird, belt, engird [archaic], engirdle, enwind, girdle, girt, girth, wrap

Antonyms: ungird, unwrap

³band

noun

Definition of BAND

: a group of persons, animals, or things; especially : a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing

Origin of BAND

Middle French bande troop, from Old Occitan banda, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic bandwo sign, standard — more at banner

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

BAND Defined for Kids

¹band

noun \ˈband\

Definition of BAND for Kids

: a strip of material that holds together or goes around something else <A plastic band held on the container's lid.>

: a strip of something that is different from what it goes around or across <a hat band> <a band of tall grass>

: a range of frequencies (as of radio waves)

²band

verb

band·edband·ing

Definition of BAND for Kids

: to put a strip of material on or around : tie together with a band <The envelopes are banded in packs of 50.>

: to unite in a group <“They don't want us banding together for higher wages or better housing,” said Marta. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>

³band

noun

Definition of BAND for Kids

: a group of persons or animals <a band of outlaws>

: a group of musicians performing together

Medical Dictionary

band

noun \ˈband\

Medical Definition of BAND

: a thin flat encircling strip especially for binding: as a : a strip of cloth used to protect a newborn baby's navel—called also bellyband b : a thin flat strip of metal that encircles a tooth <orthodontic bands>

: a strip separated by some characteristic color or texture or considered apart from what is adjacent: as a : a stripe, streak, or other elongated mark on an animal; especially : one transverse to the long axis of the body b : a line or streak of differentiated cells c : one of the alternating dark and light segments of skeletal muscle fibers d : band form e : a strip of abnormal tissue either congenital or acquired; especially : a strip of connective tissue that causes obstruction of the bowel