band

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
band1

▶noun

• 1 a flat, thin strip or loop of material used as a fastener, for reinforcement, or as decoration.

  ■ a belt or strap transmitting motion between two wheels or pulleys.

• 2 a stripe, line, or elongated area of a different colour or composition from its surroundings: a band of cloud.

• 3 (especially in financial contexts) a range of values or a specified category within a series.

  ■ a range of frequencies or wavelengths in a spectrum: channels in the UHF band.

  ■ any of several groups into which school pupils of the same age are divided on the basis of similar ability.

• 4 (bands) a collar with two hanging strips, worn by certain lawyers, clerics, and academics as part of their formal dress.

• 5 archaic a bond.

▶verb

• 1 surround or fit with a band.

• 2 mark with a stripe or stripes of a different colour.

• 3 allocate to a range or category.

– derivatives
bander noun,
banding noun.

– origin OE, from ON, reinforced in ME by OFr. bande, of Gmc origin; rel. to bind.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
band2

▶noun

• 1 a small group of musicians and vocalists who play pop, jazz, or rock music.

  ■ a group of musicians who play brass, wind, or percussion instruments.

• 2 a group of people having a common interest or purpose or characterized by a common feature.

• 3 N. Amer. a herd or flock.

▶verb form a group for a mutual purpose.

– origin ME: from OFr. bande, of Gmc origin; rel. to banner.