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

Examples 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 more meetings stack up, the thinner the mental bandwidth left for real work. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

That long-term approach is increasingly important as AI systems demand more memory capacity, bandwidth and energy efficiency. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

That bandwidth ensures the hub remains useful for fast file transfers and daily peripheral access long after you’re done using it for any disc-burning operations. — New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026

This lets the 11 Pro XL connect to multiple 5G channels and combine their bandwidth for higher throughput, rather than sticking to a single channel. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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