Bandwagon
//ˈbændˌwæɡ.ən// name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A large wagon used to carry a band of musicians in a parade.
- 2 a large ornate wagon for carrying a musical band wordnet
- 3 A current movement that attracts wide support. figuratively
"Specifically, and unforgivably, she restarted the Heathrow Third Runway bandwagon, which had been stalled for more than a decade and even declared dead by most commentators."
- 4 a popular trend that attracts growing support wordnet
Verb
- 1 To join a bandwagon (a current movement that attracts wide support). figuratively
"Again, only three years ago, he opposed every measure advocated by Woodrow Wilson—did all he could to prevent his nomination—and bandwagoned when the nomination could no longer be prevented."
Proper Noun
- 1 Synonym of Big Dipper.
Example
More examples"In a football game the spectators are usually ardent rooters for one of the two teams, but there also is a small group who will climb on the bandwagon of the winning team."
Etymology
From band + wagon.
Related phrases
More for "bandwagon"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.