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
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.
Light can carry enormous amounts of information, and optical connections can offer high bandwidth over relatively long distances. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 Korn Ferry experts trace the trend partly to leaner HR teams with less bandwidth to keep listings current, alongside some companies deliberately using ghost posts to scout talent or track competitors' hiring. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026 Past 150 kilometers, its satellite link drops to roughly 50 kilobits per second—not enough bandwidth to stream a single second of usable video. Krish Kumar, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Now researchers in China have a new way to dramatically scale up the bandwidth of quantum networks by increasing the number of simultaneous quantum communication channels. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bandwidth

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bandwidth was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bandwidth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bandwidth. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: a range of frequencies
2
: the capacity for or rate of data transfer
a high bandwidth Internet connection

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