Definition & Meaning of "bandwidth"

What is "bandwidth"?

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network or Internet connection in a given period, usually measured in bits per second (bps). It indicates the speed and capacity of a connection, with higher bandwidth allowing more data to be transferred at once. In simple terms, bandwidth is like the width of a pipe through which data flows—larger bandwidth means more data can pass through quickly. Bandwidth is important for activities like streaming videos, playing online games, or downloading files, as it affects how smoothly these tasks can be performed.