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
Why spend the same bandwidth to stream something as visually complex as an action movie with car chases (lots of motion) and explosions (flashing lights and all that noisy smoke) as much simpler visual fare?
—Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 22 June 2024
Washington’s bandwidth in the Indo-Pacific—including in the schedules of its most senior national security officials—would therefore remain limited.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2024
The idea was to build enough bandwidth to deal with surges, even during times of the year when staff tend to be out sick.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 12 June 2024
In testing, streaming a YouTube playlist used up a whole day’s allotment of bandwidth in less than a quarter of an hour.
—PCMAG, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bandwidth 
Janko Roettgers, The Verge, 22 June 2024
Washington’s bandwidth in the Indo-Pacific—including in the schedules of its most senior national security officials—would therefore remain limited.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2024
The idea was to build enough bandwidth to deal with surges, even during times of the year when staff tend to be out sick.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 12 June 2024
In testing, streaming a YouTube playlist used up a whole day’s allotment of bandwidth in less than a quarter of an hour.
—PCMAG, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bandwidth
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bandwidth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bandwidth
Cite this Entry
“Bandwidth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwidth. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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