bandwagon

noun, often attributive band·wag·on \ ˈband-ˌwa-gən \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

1 : a usually ornate and high wagon for a band of musicians especially in a circus parade

2 : a popular party, faction, or cause that attracts growing support —often used in such phrases as jump on the bandwagon

3 : a current or fashionable trend

See bandwagon defined for English-language learners

See bandwagon defined for kids

Examples of bandwagon in a Sentence

tried to get everyone on the bandwagon about forming a neighborhood crime watch

Recent Examples of bandwagon from the Web

Or maybe the yard was filled with fans who hopped on the bandwagon after Wilson departed, and the sight of No.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Brian Wilson’s appearance at AT&T Park odd, but welcome," 4 Apr. 2018
Still, even this novice clown has had her moment on the clowns-are-terrifying bandwagon.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Data breach at Saks Fifth Avenue targets customers' credit cards," 1 Apr. 2018
Startups, too, are hoping to jump on the AI bandwagon.

— The Economist, "AI providers will increasingly compete with management consultancies," 28 Mar. 2018
May 13 Reid and Riley The Los Angeles Master Chorale joins the Ellen Reid bandwagon.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "From Schubert to Nina Simone? The spring classical calendar is full of surprises," 22 Mar. 2018
Without his beloved Wisconsin Badgers playing in the NCAA tournament, noted sports fan Aaron Rodgers accepted an invitation to jump on another bandwagon.

— nina mandell, For The Win, "UMBC player convinces Aaron Rodgers to jump on Retrievers' bandwagon," 18 Mar. 2018
With all that in mind, pundits, talking heads, NBA media members and internet scribes from across the country have been scrambling to jump on the Blazers bandwagon and discuss what has led to this team's recent tear.

— tim brown, OregonLive.com, "The Portland Trail Blazers are red-hot and now everyone is jumping on the bandwagon: Links roundup," 7 Mar. 2018
Anheuser-Busch is just the latest consumer-product giant to jump on the natural-food bandwagon.

— jennifer kaplan, Bloomberg.com, "Anheuser-Busch Goes Organic With New Michelob Ultra," 26 Feb. 2018
These celebrities are jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "A Louisville investor says he was duped into a Bitcoin investment scheme. Now he's suing," 30 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bandwagon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bandwagon

1849

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

bandwagon Synonyms

Synonyms

blitz, campaign, cause, crusade, drive, juggernaut, movement, push;

action, bid, enterprise, initiative, mission, project, undertaking;

BANDWAGON Defined for English Language Learners

bandwagon

noun

: a popular activity, effort, cause, etc., that attracts growing support

BANDWAGON Defined for Kids

bandwagon

noun band·wag·on \ ˈband-ˌwa-gən \

1 : a wagon carrying musicians in a parade

2 : a candidate, side, or movement that attracts growing support Many restaurants are getting on the bandwagon and offering healthier food.

Learn More about bandwagon

See words that rhyme with bandwagon Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bandwagon Spanish Central: Translation of bandwagon Nglish: Translation of bandwagon for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bandwagon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

bandwagon

Examples of bandwagon in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bandwagon from the Web

First Known Use of bandwagon

bandwagon Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

BANDWAGON Defined for English Language Learners

bandwagon

BANDWAGON Defined for Kids

bandwagon

Learn More about bandwagon

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

bandwagon

Examples of bandwagon in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bandwagon from the Web

First Known Use of bandwagon

bandwagon Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

BANDWAGON Defined for English Language Learners

bandwagon

BANDWAGON Defined for Kids

bandwagon

Learn More about bandwagon

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes