[count] 1 : a usually small group of musicians who play popular music together
▪ The band's drummer is also the lead singer. ▪ a rock-and-roll band ▪ a jazz band — compare orchestra; see also big band, brass band, garage band, marching band, one-man band 2 : a group of people or animals
▪ A band of scientists questioned the theory. ▪ She photographed a band of gorillas. ▪ a band of hunters from the tribe 3 : a flat, straight piece of material (such as plastic or metal) that forms a circle around something
▪ A band of plastic holds the lid on the container. ▪ They placed a metal band with an identification number on the bird's leg. ▪ She lost her wedding band. [=wedding ring] — see also armband, rubber band, sweatband, waistband 4 : a strip of something that is different from what is around it : a thick line
▪ The bird has black bands above its eyes. ▪ The dress has an embroidered band at the hem. — often + of ▪ There is a band of white near the hem of the dress. ▪ A band of thunderstorms crossed the area late last night. ▪ They left a narrow band of grass growing near the street. 5 technical : a range of frequencies over which radio signals are broadcast
▪ The radio station broadcasts on the AM band. 6 Brit : a range or group between a lower and an upper limit : bracket
▪ People in younger age bands may be in higher or lower tax bands.