bandwagon

noun

band·​wag·​on ˈband-ˌwa-gən How to pronounce bandwagon (audio)
often attributive
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

Examples of bandwagon in a Sentence

tried to get everyone on the bandwagon about forming a neighborhood cleanup
Recent Examples on the Web Not long after, Ulta jumped on the Truly Organics bandwagon and added its six products in six doors. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But not everyone is waiting for these kinds of mechanistic insights, let alone definitive clinical data, before jumping on the 40-Hz bandwagon. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024 Then the elite nationalists, including the mufti, jumped on the bandwagon. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024 One resident jumped on the Barbie bandwagon last year. Anita Gosch, Orange County Register, 7 Jan. 2024 Are the shots enough without the bandwagon that makes the person a more rounded entity for clicks? Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Politicians jumped on the bandwagon blaming Wall Street; Democrats in Congress introduced a bill toward the end of last year, banning hedge funds from owning single-family homes in the country. Alena Botros, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2024 Chefs and bakeries have jumped on the Pop-Tarts bandwagon, indulging our nostalgia by creating gourmet interpretations of the treat. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 Such influential figures as Legend, Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne and Jason Isbell have since jumped on the Trotters’ bandwagon. Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bandwagon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bandwagon was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near bandwagon

Cite this Entry

“Bandwagon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwagon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bandwagon

noun
band·​wag·​on ˈban-ˌdwag-ən How to pronounce bandwagon (audio)
1
: a wagon carrying musicians in a parade
2
: a popular movement or activity that attracts growing support
jump on the bandwagon

More from Merriam-Webster on bandwagon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!