band shell

American  

noun

1. a concave, acoustically resonant structure at the back of an outdoor bandstand.

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Etymology

Origin of band shell

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The band planned a New York City debut that went off cleanly at the abandoned band shell where the hip-hop classic “Wild Style” was filmed.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

At Form, the stage was an open-air band shell that had been designed, in the seventies, to look like the apse of an Italian church, with a few psychedelic flourishes.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 22, 2018

On his arena tour this year, he plays on a stage shaped like a half-circle band shell with lights.

From Washington Times • Dec. 4, 2017

After the competition concludes, head over to the Damrosch Park band shell for a finale from the collective Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen that will include music, dance and, of course, more double Dutch.

From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2017

The band shell was deserted, and the woman in pedal pushers quietly reeled in her line, and Dr. Mason’s sprinkler went round and round.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien