bandwidth
UK[ˈbændwɪtθ]US[ˈbændwɪtθ]
n
The range of frequencies within a given band, especially that used for transmitting a signal.
n
The capacity for data transfer of an electronic communications system.
n
The energy or mental capacity required to deal with a situation.
Morpheme Breakdown
band
width
band
range
width
measure
Etymology
The term 'bandwidth' is a modern compound formed from two native English words. 'Band', originally meaning a strip or something that binds, was adopted in electronics to denote a specific range of frequencies bound together. 'Width', a measure of extent, quantifies the size of this range. Literally meaning "the width of a (frequency) band," the term's logic perfectly captures its technical definition. This concrete, spatial metaphor was then extended into computing to describe data transfer capacity and finally into colloquial use to represent the figurative capacity for mental or emotional processing.
Analysis
Structure: band (range) + width (measure)
- band: From Old Norse 'band' (something that binds, a strip), via Proto-Germanic. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning a defined range or strip of frequencies.
- width: From Old English 'wīdu' (width), formed from 'wīd' (wide) + the noun-forming suffix '-th'. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning the measurement of extent from side to side.
Examples
The new fiber-optic cable significantly increased our internet bandwidth.
The radio station operates within a strictly regulated bandwidth.
I don't have the bandwidth to take on another project right now.