Band-Aid

[band-eyd]

Trademark.

1. a brand of adhesive bandage with a gauze pad in the center, used to cover minor abrasions and cuts.

noun

1. (often lowercase),  a makeshift, limited, or temporary aid or solution that does not satisfy the basic or long-range need.

   The proposed reform isn't thorough enough to be more than just a band-aid.

adjective

1. (often lowercase),  serving as a makeshift, limited, or temporary aid or solution.

   band-aid measures to solve a complex problem.

Band-Aid

/ ˈbændˌeɪd /

noun

1. a gauze surgical dressing backed by adhesive tape

2. informal,  (sometimes not capitals) somethinɡ that provides a temporary solution to a problem

Word History and Origins

Origin of Band-Aid¹

1965–70 Band-Aid for defs. 2, 3

Example Sentences

In 2023, J&J split off its consumer-health division, which made famous brands such as Tylenol and Band-Aid, into a stand-alone company called Kenvue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But a government bailout is a "band-aid" rather than a long-term solution, he said.

Read more on Barron's

"At some point in time, we have got to rip off the Band-Aid," Davis, who has held back tears at news conferences, said.

Read more on BBC

Earlier this year, a $30 million grant program was approved by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to combat food insecurity, but will it be enough to combat an exponentially increasing issue or will it just be another Band-Aid on these evolving problems?

Read more on Salon

“We’re thinking of ourselves as this really big Band-Aid,” she said, “but we need to do more to stop the bleeding.”

Read more on Salon

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