bandband1 /bænd/ ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable] 1 MUSICAPMa group of musicians, especially a group that plays popular music The band was playing old Beatles songs. I grew up playing in rock bands. Smith joined the band in 1989. They formed a band when they were still at school. The entertainment includes a disco and live band. interviews with band members → big band, brass band, marching band, one-man bandGRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• In this meaning, band is usually followed by a singular verb: The band has made a video.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The band have made a video.2 GROUP OF PEOPLEa group of people formed because of a common belief or purposeband of a small band of volunteers bands of soldiers3 AMOUNTa range of numbers within a system Interest rates stayed within a relatively narrow band.age/tax/income etc band people within the $20,000–$30,000 income band4 PIECE OF MATERIALPIECEa flat narrow piece of something with one end joined to the other to form a circle papers held together with a rubber band a slim gold band on her finger5 a narrow area of light, colour, land etc that is different from the areas around it The birds have a distinctive blue band round their eyes.band of a thin band of cloud6 TCB technical a range of radio signals SYN wavebandCOLLOCATIONSverbsform a bandThey formed their own band and released a single.join a bandHe took up the saxophone and joined the school band.play/sing in a band (=be a musician or singer in a band)Budd played in a rock band.lead a band (=either as lead singer or as a conductor)He led his own band in Florida and played in clubs.a band performs/playsThe band is performing live on Saturday night.a band strikes up (=starts playing)We were on the dance floor waiting for the band to strike up.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + banda rock/jazz etc bandHe’s the saxophonist in a jazz band.a brass band (=a band of brass instruments such as trumpets and trombones)A brass band was playing in the park.a live band (=playing live music, not recorded music)There’s a live band at the club on Saturday nights.the school bandShe plays the trumpet in the school band.a marching band (=musicians who march as they play)the Ohio state marching banda military band (=musicians who play music on military occasions)a military band with their brass and their drumsband + NOUNa band memberHe was one of the original band members.a band leader (=the conductor of a brass band, a military band, etc)COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘make a band’. Say form a band.