bandwidth
noun
band·width
ˈband-ˌwidth 
-ˌwitth
1
: a range within a band of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies
especially
: a range of radio frequencies which is occupied by a modulated carrier wave, which is assigned to a service, or over which a device can operate
2
: the capacity for data transfer of an electronic communications system
Graphics consume more bandwidth than text does.
especially
: the maximum data transfer rate of such a system
a bandwidth of 100 megabits per second
3
: the emotional or mental capacity necessary to do or consider something
I don't have the bandwidth to do it all myself, and I feel like a failure because I'm not living up to my own ideals.—
Frances Lefkowitz
Frances LefkowitzExamples of bandwidth in a Sentence
The modem has a bandwidth of 56 kilobits per second.
Graphics use more bandwidth than text does.
Recent Examples on the Web
The docking station uses a Thunderbolt 4 port to connect to your laptop, which has plenty of bandwidth to handle a lot, though it's now been outdone by Thunderbolt 5.
—Luke Larsen, Wired News, 11 July 2025
But Ashby believes the board will have the necessary bandwidth.
—Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
Intelligence agencies do not have unlimited bandwidth.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2025
By driving efficiency within the HR function through the use of technology, companies can give these leaders the mental bandwidth to focus on strategic initiatives.
—Julie Hoagland, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
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Luke Larsen, Wired News, 11 July 2025
But Ashby believes the board will have the necessary bandwidth.
—Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
Intelligence agencies do not have unlimited bandwidth.
—David V. Gioe, Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2025
By driving efficiency within the HR function through the use of technology, companies can give these leaders the mental bandwidth to focus on strategic initiatives.
—Julie Hoagland, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bandwidth
Cite this Entry
“Bandwidth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwidth. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bandwidth
noun
band·width
ˈband-ˌwidth
1
: a range of frequencies
2
: the capacity for or rate of data transfer
a high bandwidth Internet connection
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