broadband

American  

[brawd-band] / ˈbrɔdˌbænd /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or responsive to a continuous, wide range of frequencies.

2. relating to or denoting a type of high-speed data transmission in which the bandwidth is shared by more than one simultaneous signal.

   Broadband internet technologies are superior to dial-up connections for streaming video.

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noun

1. broadband transmission.

2. a broadband internet connection.

broadband British  

/ ˈbrɔːdˌbænd /

noun

1. a transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies that enables messages to be sent simultaneously, used in fast internet connections See also baseband

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broadband Cultural  

1. In communications technology, the ability to send many signals over a single cable or other such communication medium. Broadband technology allows enormous amounts of data, such as that for movie videos, to be transferred over limited information infrastructure.

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Etymology

Origin of broadband

First recorded in 1900–05; broad + band ²

Explanation

Broadband describes a system of sending a lot of data or information very quickly, particularly a speedy internet connection. Most people with broadband internet are able to stream movies instantly. Most Americans have broadband internet access today, a statistic that's changed dramatically over the past 25 years. Before broadband came to be nearly synonymous with the internet, it was used for other telecommunications, like radio transmissions and phone networks. The term refers to a large capacity for sending data — in other words, a broad bandwidth. That means it moves with exceptional speed, and that multiple channels of information can be sent at the same time.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

broadband

AST SpaceMobile is developing a space-based cellular broadband network that relies on putting new satellites in orbit.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026

Millions of calls from customers were likely to have been mishandled over a three-year period which prevented or delayed them from switching to a better broadband, landline or pay-TV deal.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

This failure is visible in the U.S., where Congress spent $42 billion in 2021 to wire rural America for broadband.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

ITV also has built a popular streaming service, which would round out Sky’s portfolio of subscription services that include satellite TV, phone and broadband internet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

Where the local broadband did get installed was in office buildings, which were already pretty well served by the old companies.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman