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
Exports of a similar bandwidth are also subject to the same licensing requirements, according to the filing.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Photograph: Output Along with new AR/VR and mixed-reality applications, HDMI 2.2’s advanced bandwidth is designed to enhance commercial technologies like medical imaging, and potentially even next-gen movie, game, and TV production.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
As such, being concerned about its effects on your personal time, emotional bandwidth and ability to care for your own needs is both a valid and natural response — especially if you already felt depleted by work, stress or mental health struggles.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
This means that the link can move data at a total bandwidth of 120Gbps in that scenario, which could be useful if your setup has multiple high-resolution monitors.
—PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bandwidth
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Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Photograph: Output Along with new AR/VR and mixed-reality applications, HDMI 2.2’s advanced bandwidth is designed to enhance commercial technologies like medical imaging, and potentially even next-gen movie, game, and TV production.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
As such, being concerned about its effects on your personal time, emotional bandwidth and ability to care for your own needs is both a valid and natural response — especially if you already felt depleted by work, stress or mental health struggles.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
This means that the link can move data at a total bandwidth of 120Gbps in that scenario, which could be useful if your setup has multiple high-resolution monitors.
—PC Magazine, 8 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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