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
Frances LefkowitzExamples 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 country has managed to find alternatives to some of the technology it has been cut off from, such as high-bandwidth memory to Nvidia competitors.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Video from GoPro cameras outside the capsule streamed down in low-resolution format, due to limitations on bandwidth coming back from deep space, but the Artemis II astronauts were expected to downlink sharper telephoto snapshots overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
Take point on an assignment as the sun conflicts Jupiter, but be aware of your bandwidth.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Pisces are known to feel others' emotions, giving them the bandwidth to help elevate their sentiments, similarly to Jiwon.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bandwidth
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Video from GoPro cameras outside the capsule streamed down in low-resolution format, due to limitations on bandwidth coming back from deep space, but the Artemis II astronauts were expected to downlink sharper telephoto snapshots overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026
Take point on an assignment as the sun conflicts Jupiter, but be aware of your bandwidth.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026
Pisces are known to feel others' emotions, giving them the bandwidth to help elevate their sentiments, similarly to Jiwon.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bandwidth
Cite this Entry
“Bandwidth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwidth. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
