noun
bandwidth
BAND-wihdth
noun
1
The range of frequencies a signal or channel can carry, often used to describe internet or network speed.
"Streaming video in 4K uses a lot more bandwidth than standard definition."
"Our office internet has enough bandwidth for a dozen video calls at once."
2
Informally, a person's available time, attention, or capacity to take on more work.
"I just don't have the bandwidth to take on another project this month."
How to Use Bandwidth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the data-carrying capacity of a connection, or, informally, how much spare time and energy someone has.
When to use it
The "spare capacity" sense is common in business speak; some readers find it a cliché.
Common pairings
low bandwidth
network bandwidth
don't have the bandwidth
Word Forms
bandwidths plural
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Streaming video in 4K uses a lot more _____ than standard definition.
Etymology
From band (a range of frequencies) + width; originally a radio and telecommunications term before it was borrowed informally for personal capacity.