bandwidth

band·width

noun \ˈband-ˌwidth\

Definition of BANDWIDTH

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 56 kilobits per second>

Examples of BANDWIDTH

1. The modem has a bandwidth of 56 kilobits per second.
2. Graphics use more bandwidth than text does.

First Known Use of BANDWIDTH

1930

bandwidth

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Measurement of the capacity of a communications signal. For digital signals, the bandwidth is the data speed or rate, measured in bits per second (bps). For analog signals, it is the difference between the highest and lowest frequency components, measured in hertz (cycles per second). For example, a modem with a bandwidth of 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) can transmit a maximum of about 56,000 bits of digital data in one second. The human voice, which produces analog sound waves, has a typical bandwidth of three kilohertz between the highest and lowest frequency sounds it can generate.