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band1 definition

band (band)

noun

  1. something that binds, ties together, restrains, etc.
    1. a strip or ring of wood, metal, rubber, etc. fastened around something, as to bind or tie it together
    2. a finger ring a wedding band
  2. a contrasting strip or stripe running across or along the edge of a material, or separating different sorts of material
  3. a narrow strip of cloth used to bind, line, decorate, etc.; binding; banding hatband, neckband
  4. two strips hanging in front from the neck, as part of certain academic, legal, or clerical dress
  5. a belt to drive wheels or pulleys in machinery
  6. any of the separate divisions on a phonograph record containing individual selections
    1. a specific range of wavelengths or frequencies, as in radio broadcasting or sound or light transmission
    2. any of the stripes of color in a spectrum
  7. Archit. a thin layer or molding
  8. Geol. a thin layer of distinctive rock, ore, etc.

Etymology: ME < ON band (akin to OE bend); also (in meaning “thin strip”) < Fr bande, flat strip < OFr bende < ML benda < Goth binda < bindan, bind

transitive verb

  1. to put a band on or around; tie with a band
  2. ☆ to mark with a band for identification to band migratory birds

Etymology: OFr bander < the n.

band2 definition

band (band)

noun

  1. a group of people joined together for a common purpose
  2. a group of musicians playing together, esp. upon wind and percussion instruments a dance band

Etymology: LME bande < MFr < OFr < OProv < Goth bandwa, a sign < ?

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to gather or unite for a common purpose: usually with together

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
band Synonyms

band

n.

  1. A beltlike strip

    ribbon, belt, line, strip, tape, fillet, sash, twine, twist, riband, cingle, surcingle, girth, cincture, cinch, scarf, bandage, circuit, meridian, latitude, circle, ring, orbit, stripe, girdle, zodiac, zonule, circumference, border, cordon, zone, streak, thong, wristband, braid, ferrule, brace, strap, binding, hoop, waistband, cummerbund, obi, baldric, collar, hatband, headband; see also stripe.

  2. That which binds

    bond, tie, ligature, binding, binder, hoop, stay, truss, belt, shackle, cord, tendon, harness, cable, rope, link, chain, line, hawser, string, guy wire, guy, painter, strap, trace, thong, withe; see also sense 1, dressing 3, rope, wire 1.

  3. A company of people

    troop, group, collection, association; see gathering, troop.

  4. A group of musicians

    orchestra, company, ensemble, group, troupe, combo*.

    Kinds of bands include: military, brass, street, skiffle, concert, parade, jazz, rock, electric, stage, dance, German, Dixieland, jug, swing*, sweet*. See syn. study at troop.troop.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

band Usage Examples

Possessives

  • album: Hearing the early versions of what was to become the band's new album, I remember being instantly impressed.

Converse of object

  • march: This has led to an increase in the number of local parades many of which are held by other groups particularly marching bands.

Adjective modifier

  • elastic: Mario Kart's infamous elastic band AI has also been given the heave-ho.

Modifies a noun

  • wagon: But many of them could see the " I don't believe " band wagon pulling out in front and just jumped on.

Noun used with modifier

  • brass: Passing through one village we even had a brass band blocking our route.
band usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

band quotes

Lo! all in silence, all in order stand, And mighty folios first, a lordly band: Then quartos their well-ordered ranks maintain, And light octavos fill a spacious plain; See yonder, ranged in more frequented rows, A humbler band of duodecimos.

-Crabbe, George

Away with the music of Broadway! Be off with your Irving Berlin! Oh, I'd give no quarter to Kern or Cole Porter and Gershwin keeps pounding on tin. How can I be civil when hearing this drivel? It's only for night-clubbing souses. Oh, give me the free 'n'easy waltz that is Viennesey And go tell the band if they want a hand the waltz must be Strauss's!

-Gershwin, Ira originally Israel Gershowitz

O it'sTommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, go away'; But it's'Thank you, Mister Atkins,'when the band begins to play.

-Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard

band quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"band." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/band>

APA Style

band. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/band

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