rubber band

noun

1. a narrow, circular or oblong band of rubber, used for holding things together, as papers or a box and its lid.

rubber band

noun

1. Also called: elastic band. a continuous loop of thin rubber, used to hold papers, etc, together

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubber band¹

First recorded in 1890–95

When To Use

What else does rubber band mean?

The handy, dandy rubber band, useful for flinging at people and holding together important things, like stacks of cash money, as rubber bands refer to in hip-hop slang.Rubber bands also come up in fashion contexts, from bracelets and hairstyles, and a common complaint for those who have to use special ones for orthodontic braces.