Vocabulary Spotlight

Bands

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Groups of musicians, people, or materials bound together for a common purpose or function.

“The festival featured several bands, each bringing a unique sound to the event.”

Pronunciation

[bændz]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Groups
Teams
Flocks
Clusters
Assemblies

Antonyms

Individuals
Solos
Lone
Single
Separate

Related Words

Banding (verb)
Bander (noun)
Banded (adjective)

Word Origin

The word “band” originates from the Old Norse word “band,” meaning “a thin strip.” Over time, the term evolved to denote groups of people or musicians, symbolizing a unified or bound group with a shared purpose.

Word Family

Noun: Band – A group or strip.

Verb: Banding – The act of forming a group or being part of a group.

Adjective: Banded – Bound together in a group or marked by bands.

Mnemonics

Bring A New Dynamic Sound – Helps remember that bands often play together to produce harmonious music.

Industry-specific Usage

Music

In music, bands refer to groups of musicians who perform together. Popular examples include rock bands, jazz bands, and marching bands.

Finance

In finance, “bands” are used to describe ranges within which financial variables like interest rates or bond yields may fluctuate.

Biology

In biology, bands refer to the visible markings on chromosomes that help differentiate genetic materials.

In Context

The concept of “bands” appears widely in everyday language, particularly when referring to groups that share a common interest, such as music bands or work teams. In science, the term extends to describe physical groupings or arrangements, such as the color bands on chromosomes in biology. Its versatile use reflects the idea of unity and common purpose, whether in art, science, or social groups.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which of the following is a synonym of “bands”?

Solos
Separates
Singles
Groups

“Groups” is correct as it describes multiple individuals coming together, much like bands.

2. Fill in the blank: The research team observed several color _______ on the specimen’s chromosomes.

groups
bands
solos
separates

“Bands” is correct as it refers to color markings observed on chromosomes.

3. Which field might use “bands” to describe interest rate fluctuations?

Finance
Biology
Music
Art

“Finance” is correct; it uses bands to describe ranges of variable rates like interest or bond yields.