band
gb/bˈænd/ us/bˈænd/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Group of musicians
A group of people who play music together.
Usage pattern:
a band plays [music/instrument]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'band' with 'orchestra'; an orchestra is usually larger and plays classical music.
Synonyms
ensemble (More formal or used for any group of performers, not just popular music.)
Antonyms
soloist (Refers to a single performer rather than a group.)
Collocations
rock band
|live band
|school band
|marching band
|jazz band
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The band played their latest song to a cheering crowd.
- She joined a jazz band at the university.
- We hired a live band for the wedding.
- The marching band led the parade through the town.
- He dreams of starting his own rock band.
Learner examples
- My brother plays guitar in a band.
- The band is very popular in our city.
- We saw a band at the park.
- She sings in a school band.
- The band is on the stage now.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Flat strip of material
A thin, flat piece of material that holds things together or decorates them.
Usage pattern:
a band around [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'band' with 'belt'; belts are usually longer and worn around the waist.
Synonyms
strap (Often refers to a longer or adjustable piece used for fastening.)
Antonyms
loose end (Something not tied or secured by a strip or fastening.)
Collocations
rubber band
|head band
|wrist band
|arm band
Themes
daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Examples
- She tied her hair back with a red band.
- The package was secured with a rubber band.
- He wore a black armband to show respect for the deceased.
- The watch has a leather band.
- The bird had a small metal band on its leg.
Learner examples
- I use a rubber band to close the bag.
- She wears a blue band on her head.
- The watch has a gold band.
- He put a band around the box.
- The paper is held by a small band.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Range of radio frequencies
A set range of radio waves used to send and receive signals.
Usage pattern:
[something] on the [frequency] band
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'band' here with 'channel'; channels are specific points within bands.
Synonyms
frequency range (Technical term for the span between two frequencies.)
Antonyms
static range (Area outside usable frequency ranges, producing noise.)
Collocations
FM band
|AM band
|broadband frequency
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- The station broadcasts on the FM band.
- Military communications use a secure frequency band.
- We need to switch to another band to avoid interference.
- This device can operate on multiple bands.
- The AM band is less popular today than FM.
Learner examples
- This radio works on the FM band.
- We listen to music on the AM band.
- The phone uses a 5G band.
- They use another band for safety.
- The FM band is very clear.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Group with shared goal
A small group of people working or traveling together for the same reason.
Usage pattern:
a band of [people/companions]
Synonyms
group (More general and less evocative; can refer to any collection of people.)
Antonyms
individuals (People acting separately rather than together.)
Collocations
band of thieves
|band of friends
|band of soldiers
Themes
society
|history
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A small band of volunteers cleaned the park.
- They were attacked by a band of robbers.
- A band of explorers set out into the jungle.
- He joined a band of rebels fighting against the government.
- The hikers traveled as a tight-knit band.
Learner examples
- A band of men came into the town.
- We saw a band of soldiers on the road.
- A small band helped the lost dog.
- A band of friends went on holiday together.
- There was a band of people waiting for help.
Verb
B2
action
5
Put strip around something
To put a thin strip around something to hold it or mark it.
Usage pattern:
to band [something] with [material]
Synonyms
bind (General term for tying or fastening something; not always with a strip.)
Antonyms
unbind (To remove something that was tied or fastened.)
Collocations
band together
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They banded the boxes with plastic straps.
- The scientist banded the birds before releasing them.
- We need to band these papers so they don't get lost.
- She carefully banded each bundle of flowers.
- Workers are required to band hazardous materials securely.
Learner examples
- We will band the boxes with rope.
- The man bands the books together.
- They will band the wood for shipping.
- She bands the flowers before selling them.
- They must band the bags for safety.
Grammar
Dictionary form
band
IPA
GB/bˈænd/
US/bˈænd/
Syllables & stress
band (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (band)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: band
- Plural: bands
Verb
- Base: band
- 3rd Person Singular: bands
- Present Participle: banding
- Past: banded
Word family
Expressions
armband
1/ˈɑɹmbˌænd/
fixed phrase
Strip worn around arm for ID/mourning/decoration
A piece of cloth or material worn around the arm to show something like belonging to a team or respect for someone who died.
Examples
- Players wore black armbands in memory of their coach.
- He wore an armband with the team's logo.
band together
1/bˈænd təɡˈɛðɚ/
phrasal verb
Join together for purpose
To join with other people to do something together, especially to achieve a goal or fight against something.
Examples
- The villagers decided to band together to protect their homes from flooding.
- Workers are banding together to demand better conditions.
marching band
1/mˈɑɹt͡ʃɪŋ bˈænd/
fixed phrase
Musical group that marches outdoors
A group of musicians who play music while walking in formation, often in parades or at sports events.
Examples
- The marching band led the homecoming parade through town.
- Her brother plays trumpet in the high school marching band.
rubber band
1/ɹˈʌbɚ bˈænd/
fixed phrase
Elastic loop for holding things
A thin loop made of rubber that can stretch and is used to hold things together.
Examples
- I used a rubber band to keep these pencils together.
- He shot a rubber band across the room as a joke.
wedding band
1/wˈɛdɪŋ bˈænd/
fixed phrase
Ring showing marriage status (plain)
A plain ring worn on the finger to show that someone is married.
Examples
- He lost his wedding band at the beach.
- They exchanged wedding bands during the ceremony.