S> The difference between the higheSt and loweSt frequencieS of a tranSmiSSion channel (the width of itS allocated band of frequencieS). The term iS often uSed erroneouSly to mean data rate or capacity - the amount of data that iS, or can be, Sent through a given communicationS circuit per Second. [How iS data capacity related to bandwidth?] [Jargon File] (2001-04-24)