band Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unofficial association of people or groups
    circle; set; lot.
    • the smart set goes there
    • they were an angry lot
  2. noun instrumentalists not including string players
  3. noun a stripe or stripes of contrasting color
    striation; banding; stria.
    • chromosomes exhibit characteristic bands
    • the black and yellow banding of bees and wasps
  4. noun an adornment consisting of a strip of a contrasting color or material
    banding; stripe.
  5. noun a group of musicians playing popular music for dancing
    dance orchestra; dance band.
  6. noun a range of frequencies between two limits
  7. noun a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)
  8. noun a cord-like tissue connecting two larger parts of an anatomical structure
    isthmus.
  9. noun jewelry consisting of a circlet of precious metal (often set with jewels) worn on the finger
    ring.
    • she had rings on every finger
    • he noted that she wore a wedding band
  10. noun a driving belt in machinery
  11. noun a thin flat strip or loop of flexible material that goes around or over something else, typically to hold it together or as a decoration
  12. noun a strip of material attached to the leg of a bird to identify it (as in studies of bird migration)
    ring.
  13. noun a restraint put around something to hold it together
  14. verb bind or tie together, as with a band
  15. verb attach a ring to the foot of, in order to identify
    ring.
    • ring birds
    • band the geese to observe their migratory patterns

WordNet

Band noun
Etymology
OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. banti, Skr. bandha a binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend, bind. In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG. bant. See Bind, v. t., and cf. Bend, Bond, 1st Bandy.
Definitions
  1. A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter.
    Every one's bands were loosed. Acis xvi 26.
  2. (Arch.) (a) A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments, as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc. (b) In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of moldings, which encircles the pillars and small shafts.
  3. That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie. "To join in Hymen's bands." Shak.
  4. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
  5. pl. Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.
  6. A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it. "Band and gusset and seam." Hood.
  7. A company of persons united in any common design, especially a body of armed men.
    Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. Shak.
  8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound, as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.), and drums, or cymbals.
  9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the fruits of umbelliferous plants.
  10. (Zoöl.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the axis of the body.
  11. (Mech.) A belt or strap.
  12. A bond Obs. "Thy oath and band." Shak.
  13. Pledge; security. Obs. Spenser.
Band transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Banded; present participle & verbal noun Banding
Definitions
  1. To bind or tie with a band.
  2. To mark with a band.
  3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. "Banded against his throne." Milton.
Band intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To confederate for some common purpose; to unite; to conspire together.
    Certain of the Jews banded together. Acts xxiii. 12.
Band transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To bandy; to drive away. Obs.
Band imperfect
Definitions
  1. of Bind. Obs.

Webster 1913