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

Nvidia is aggressively securing supply of high-bandwidth memory, which is essential for its GPUs and systems, as the AI boom has created a global memory shortage. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 25 July 2026

When your biological energy drops, your prefrontal cortex loses the bandwidth to regulate stress, leading to emotional volatility, decision fatigue, and eventual burnout. — Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Researchers will need a source that generates single photons on demand with a very narrow spectral bandwidth. — Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 22 July 2026

Silicon photonics uses light rather than electrical signals to move data, helping address bandwidth and latency limits in conventional electrical interconnects. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 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