band
band
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "band" is /bænd/.
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive)
/æ/ (near-open front unrounded vowel)
/n/ (voiced alveolar nasal)
/d/ (voiced alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: band
Plural: bands
Possessive (singular): band's
Possessive (plural): bands'
Verb:
Base form: band
Third-person singular present: bands
Present participle: banding
Past tense: banded
Past participle: banded
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A group of musicians who play music together, typically for entertainment or performance.
Synonyms: ensemble, orchestra, group, musical group
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as this refers to a specific type of group)
A thin, flat strip of material, often used for fastening, binding, or decorating.
Synonyms: strip, strap, ribbon, strip, cord, tie
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
A range of frequencies or wavelengths, especially in telecommunications or broadcasting.
Synonyms: spectrum, range, frequency range
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
A distinctive stripe or streak of color, material, or texture.
Synonyms: stripe, streak, bar, strip
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
To form a group or alliance with others for a shared purpose.
Synonyms: unite, group, join, associate, coalesce
Antonyms: separate, disband, disperse, scatter
To put a band on something; to tie or fasten with a band.
Synonyms: tie, bind, fasten, secure, strap
Antonyms: untie, unbind, unfasten, loosen
Examples of Use
Books:
"The band played 'Stairway to Heaven' with a fervor that shook the old theater to its foundations." (From a fictional novel, e.g., The Gilded Cage by Sarah Jane Smith, 2023)
"A band of light appeared on the horizon, signaling the dawn of a new day." (From a descriptive passage, e.g., Whispers of the Wind by John Doe, 2021)
"He wore a simple silver band on his left hand, a silent testament to his commitment." (From a character description, e.g., Echoes in the Stone by Emily White, 2024)
Newspapers:
"Local Band 'The Silent Echoes' Releases New Album to Critical Acclaim." (Headline, The Daily Chronicle, 2025)
"Authorities have identified a small band of extremists responsible for the recent unrest." (News report, The Global Times)
"The government plans to allocate a new band of frequencies for 5G development." (Business section, Financial Post)
Online Publications:
"Top 10 Indie Bands You Need to Listen to Right Now." (Article title, Pitchfork.com)
"How to Band Together for Community Change: A Guide." (Blog post, CivicVoices.org)
"The recent satellite images reveal a distinct band of unusual cloud formation over the Pacific." (Science news, Space.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"I'm going to see my favorite band play live tonight!" (Dialogue in a TV show, e.g., Melody Lane, Season 3, Episode 7)
"This next track is from the legendary rock band, Queen." (Radio DJ introduction, Classic Rock Radio 101.5)
"Join your band of adventurers as you embark on an epic quest in this new RPG!" (Video game description, Quest for Eldoria)
"That's a strong band of brothers right there, fighting for what they believe in." (Commentary during a sports broadcast, ESPN)
"The artist wore a beautiful jeweled band in her hair for the awards ceremony." (Celebrity gossip site, E! Online)
General Public Discourse:
"My brother's band is playing at the local pub next Friday, you should come." (Casual conversation between friends)
"We need to band together to make sure this project gets finished on time." (Colleague discussing a work task)
"Look at that elastic band – it's practically falling apart!" (Person commenting on an object)
"They're a real band of misfits, but they get the job done." (Figurative description of a group of people)
"Could you pass me the rubber band? I need to tie these papers together." (Request in an office setting)
10 Famous Quotes Using Band
"A good band is like a good family. You stick together, you help each other, and you make music." (Dave Grohl, as quoted in Rolling Stone)
"Every band wants to be the Beatles." (Freddie Mercury, as quoted in Queen: As It Began by Jacky Gunn and Jim Jenkins)
"No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole band to play it." (H.E. Luccock, as quoted in The Speaker's Book of Quotations)
"Music can change the world because it can change people." (Bono of U2, as quoted in various interviews) - Metaphorical use of "band" implicitly through "music" as U2 is a band.
"Friendship is a strong and habitual inclination in two persons to promote the good and happiness of one another." (Eustace Budgell) - Synonymous with the idea of people banding together.
"We are a band of brothers, and we're sticking together." (From the TV series Band of Brothers, referring to the Easy Company)
"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." (Danny Kaye) - Metaphorical for a "band" of colors or experiences.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." (Helen Keller) - Synonymous with the concept of banding together.
"The band played on." (Common idiom, often associated with the Titanic's musicians)
"And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing." (William Shakespeare, As You Like It) - Metaphorical for a "band" of natural elements providing wisdom.
Etymology
The word "band" has a double origin, both tied to the idea of "tying" or "binding."
First, for the meaning of a strip of material (like a rubber band or a hair band), it comes from very old Germanic languages, specifically from a word like *bandą or *bandiz. This word meant "fetter" or "something that binds." This sense came into Old English as beand or bend, referring to a bond, chain, or ribbon. So, its first known use in English, meaning a thin strip, dates back to Middle English (around the 1100s to 1400s).
Second, for the meaning of a group of people (like a music band or a band of soldiers), it entered English a bit later from Old French, bande. This French word also had Germanic roots, likely sharing the same ultimate ancestor as the other "band." The idea here is that people are "bound together" by a common purpose. The specific use for a musical group became common around the mid-1600s, often referring to musicians connected to military groups.
So, both "bands" ultimately stem from the concept of being "tied" or "bound."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Band
Band together: To unite as a group for a common purpose.
Band of brothers: A close-knit group of people, often used to describe soldiers or a team.
To beat the band: With great energy, enthusiasm, or speed; very much.
On the band wagon: To join a popular or successful activity, cause, or trend.
Band aid solution: A temporary, quick fix that doesn't solve the underlying problem.
Brass band: A musical ensemble consisting primarily of brass instruments.
Rubber band effect: A phenomenon where something stretches to a limit and then snaps back quickly.
To bandy words: To exchange words, often in a quick, argumentative, or playful way. (While "bandy" is a distinct word, its origin relates to striking back and forth, similar to how a band might stretch and snap).
The whole nine yards and a jazz band: An original phrase meaning everything imaginable and then some, emphasizing thoroughness.
A strong bond of trust: (Using a synonym for "band" for similar effect) A deep and reliable connection between individuals.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of band from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
