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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

bandwagon en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈbændˌwæɡ.ən/ (Australia, General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
  • [ˈbɛə̯ndˌwæɡ.ən] æ-raising
  • [ˈbeə̯ndˌwæɡ.ən] æ-raising
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈbeə̯ndˌweɪ̯ɡ.ən/ Upper Midwestern US, Northwestern US, Canada
  • /ˈbɛndˌwɛɡ.ən/ (New-Zealand)

Etymology

From band + wagon.

Meanings

  1. A large wagon used to carry a band of musicians in a parade.
  2. (figuratively) A current movement that attracts wide support.
    • 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. 2025 February 19, Christian Wolmar, “Reeves talks of 'growth' but pays lip service to the railway”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 35:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
bandwagons Number=Plur lexicographic
bandwaggon alternative lexicographic

Deriveds

jump on the bandwagon · bandwagon effect · bandwagon fallacy · bandwagon fan · climb on the bandwagon · bandwagon jumper · bandwagoning · bandwagon-jumper · bandwagoner · bandwagonism · brandwagon

Translations (12)

de erfolgreiche Partei ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · de erfolgreiche Seite ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · fi villitys ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · fi kelkka ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · pt trio elétrico (large wagon to carry a band) · tr çoğunluk partisi ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · pl platforma (large wagon to carry a band) · es tren del mame ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support) · fi paraativaunu (large wagon to carry a band) · de Musikantenwagen (large wagon to carry a band) · tr bando arabası (large wagon to carry a band) · tr grup vagon ((figuratively) current movement that attracts wide support)

bandwagon en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • /ˈbændˌwæɡ.ən/ (Australia, General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
  • [ˈbɛə̯ndˌwæɡ.ən] æ-raising
  • [ˈbeə̯ndˌwæɡ.ən] æ-raising
  • (US) audio
  • /ˈbeə̯ndˌweɪ̯ɡ.ən/ Upper Midwestern US, Northwestern US, Canada
  • /ˈbɛndˌwɛɡ.ən/ (New-Zealand)

Etymology

From band + wagon.

Meanings

  1. (figuratively) To join a bandwagon (a current movement that attracts wide support).
    • “Weeping Walter” is a notorious example of the theory that “trimming” pays in politix. He has blown with every wind; he has bandwagoned with every passing movement from the Ku Klux Klan to the Townsend plan; […] 1937 April 25, “Old Ironpants [i.e., Charles Martin] and Walter [Marcus Pierce]”, in Alton F. Baker, editor, Eugene Register-Guard, volume 92, number 115, Eugene, Ore.: Alton F. Baker, →OCLC, page 6 (Editorial Page), column 1:
    • 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. 1915 June 17, Rockville Tribune, “Roger Sullivan”, in The Indianapolis News, volume XLVI, number 166 (14,218 overall), Indianapolis, Ind., →OCLC, page 16, column 5:
    • Everyone in my school flew rebel flags and had rebel flag tattoos and I bandwagoned and got the tattoo. 2020 June 14, Alaa Elassar, quoting Jennifer Tucker, “A Kentucky tattoo shop is offering to cover up hate and gang symbols for free”, in CNN, Atlanta, Ga.: Warner Bros. Discovery, archived from the original on 05 Dec 2022:
    • The sell-out bandwagonned and, as Sam [Rayburn] continued to stall, a positive vote against seating the Virginia delegation turned into a positive vote for seating them. 1952 August 3, James Whiteshield, “The Middle Is Somewhat Independent”, in The Miami Herald, 42nd year, number 244, Miami, Fla., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3-F, column 4:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
bandwagonned Tense=Past rare lexicographic
bandwagonned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part rare lexicographic
bandwagoning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
bandwagoned Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
bandwagoned Tense=Past lexicographic
bandwagonning Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part rare lexicographic
bandwagons Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
bandwaggon alternative lexicographic

Relateds

hype train

Synonyms

jump on the bandwagon