n. & v.
n. 1 a flat, thin strip or loop of material (e.g. paper, metal, or cloth) put round something esp. to hold it together or decorate it (headband). 2 a a strip of material forming part of a garment (hatband; waistband). b a stripe of a different colour or material on an object. 3 a a range of frequencies or wavelengths in a spectrum (esp. of radio frequencies). b a range of values within a series. 4 Mech. a belt connecting wheels or pulleys. 5 (in pl.) a collar having two hanging strips, worn by some lawyers, ministers, and academics in formal dress. 6 archaic a thing that restrains, binds, connects, or unites; a bond.
v.tr. 1 put a band on. 2 a mark with stripes. b (as banded adj.) Bot. & Zool. marked with coloured bands or stripes. band-saw a mechanical saw with a blade formed by an endless toothed band.
[ ME f. OF bande, bende (sense 6 f. ON band) f. Gmc ]