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

Larger companies also have the talent and bandwidth to figure out the true costs and benefits of accepting cash or noncash payments. —Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2025

This saves on bandwidth and gives you the best possible experience. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Nov. 2025

Kyocera developed a laser that can operate at distances up to 100 meters with a wide bandwidth, enabling the transmission of large quantities of digital data. —PC Magazine, 12 Nov. 2025

The uplink approach could deliver the high bandwidth needed for quantum networks because satellites would only require small optical units to process incoming photons, instead of carrying heavy quantum light-generating hardware. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025

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