[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

band \band\ ba^nd, n. oe. band, bond, icel. band; akin to
   g., sw.,  d. band, ohg. bant, goth. bandi, skr. bandha a
   binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to e. bend,
   bind. in sense 7, at least, it is fr. f. bande, from ohg.
   bant. root90. see bind, v. t., and cf. bend, bond,
   1st bandy.
   1. a fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing
      is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things
      are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter.
      1913 webster

            every one's bands were loosed.        --acts xvi.
                                                  26.
      1913 webster

   2. arch.
      a a continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments,
          as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc.
      b in gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of
          moldings, which encircles the pillars and small
          shafts.
          1913 webster

   3. that which serves as the means of union or connection
      between persons; a tie. "to join in hymen's bands."
      --shak.
      1913 webster

   4. a linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th
      centuries.
      1913 webster

   5. pl. two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as
      part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress.
      1913 webster

   6. a narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article
      of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it.
      "band and gusset and seam." --hood.
      1913 webster

   7. a company of persons united in any common design,
      especially a body of armed men.
      1913 webster

            troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. --shak.
      1913 webster

   8. a number of musicians who play together upon portable
      musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound,
      as certain wind instruments trumpets, clarinets, etc.,
      and drums, or cymbals; as, a high school's marching band.
      1913 webster

   9. bot. a space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the
      fruits of umbelliferous plants.
      1913 webster

   10. zool. a stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the
       axis of the body.
       1913 webster

   11. mech. a belt or strap.
       1913 webster

   12. a bond. obs. "thy oath and band." --shak.
       1913 webster

   13. pledge; security. obs. --spenser.
       1913 webster

   band saw, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with
      teeth on one edge, running over wheels.

   big band, a band that is the size of an orchestra, usually
      playing mostly jazz or swing music. the big band typically
      features both ensemble and solo playing, sometimes has a
      lead singer, and is often located in a night club where
      the patrons may dance to its music. the big bands were
      popular from the late 1920's to the 1940's. contrasted
      with combo, which has fewer players.
      1913 webster +pjc
see also:
bind bend bond bandy band saw big band 
combo 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

big band \big band\,
   a band that is the size of an orchestra, usually playing
   mostly jazz or swing music. the big band typically features
   both ensemble and solo playing, sometimes has a lead singer,
   and is often located in a night club where the patrons may
   dance to its music. the big bands were popular from the late
   1920's to the 1940's. contrasted with combo, which has
   fewer players.
   pjc
see also:
combo 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

big band
     n : a large dance or jazz band usually featuring improvised
         solos by lead musicians

Band >> B Words
Band, definition of term: Band
band_pag1.html

Band Saw >> B Words
Band Saw, definition of term: Band Saw
band+saw_pag1.html