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Synonyms

big band

American  

noun

  1. a jazz or dance band that is the size of an orchestra.


big band British  

noun

  1. a large jazz or dance band, popular esp in the 1930s to the 1950s

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of big band

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It’s the big band sound that makes you smile and want to get up and dance with captivating lyrics that always leave you wanting more.

From Salon Jun. 5, 2026

The big band music stopped, and for a few seconds a hush fell over the guests.

From Barron's Apr. 26, 2026

After that, the composer turned his attention to a big band pet project, making ends meet with leftover work scoring German TV shows.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 13, 2026

As Simon observed years later, the V-Discs “mark the high watermark of the big band years.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 26, 2026

Mother allowed us to go to the big band dances in the crowded city auditorium.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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