noun

bandwidth

/ˈbændwɪdθ/ · say it: BAND·width

the amount of data a connection can carry per second

In Technology & Computing

the capacity or time available to take on work

In Business & Marketing

In more detail

1. (noun) the amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given time

2. (noun) the range of frequencies that a device or system can handle

3. (noun) the time, energy, or mental capacity that someone has available

Examples

1. A high-speed internet connection has more bandwidth than a slow one.
2. The radio station broadcasts across a wide bandwidth.
3. I don't have the bandwidth to take on another project right now.

How to use bandwidth

Bandwidth originally refers to technical transmission capacity but has expanded into everyday use for any finite resource of time or attention. In formal technical contexts it describes data transmission rates or frequency ranges; in informal contexts it means available mental energy or time capacity. The figurative sense is common in business and personal productivity discussions.

Common phrases

limited bandwidth
increase bandwidth
bandwidth usage
high bandwidth
bandwidth allocation
available bandwidth

Synonyms

capacity · throughput · width · spectrum · headroom

Word family

band (noun) · width (noun)

A common mistake

Learners often use 'bandwidth' as a mass noun when it should be countable in technical contexts (e.g., 'bandwidths' can be plural), and sometimes overuse the metaphorical sense where simpler words like 'capacity' or 'time' would be clearer.

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