big band

NOUN

a large dance band

Synonyms

STRONGEST

jazz band

WEAK

dance orchestra swing band

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.

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

From the outset, the festival embraced musical diversity: big band, swing, ska, blues, Dixieland and bebop.

From BBC • May 1, 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

In the late 1940s, Billy Eckstine’s big band boasted among its ranks some of the rising stars of the bebop era: Blakey, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon and Fats Navarro.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall