verb
disband
dihs-BAND
Disband (verb) means to break up a group so it no longer exists; to disperse. Example: “The band disbanded after their final tour.”
verb
1
To break up a group so it no longer exists; to disperse.
"I used to be in a punk band, but we disbanded in the early 1980s."
"The band disbanded after their final tour."
"The committee was disbanded once its work was finished."
"The president wanted to disband the scandal-plagued agency."
"The British Transport Commission, which was disbanded under the 1962 Transport Act that created the British Railways Board, had been established by Clement Attlee's Labour government at nationalisation 14 years earlier."
— Howard Johnston, Was Marples the real railway wrecker? (2023)
How to use disband
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break up a group, team, or organization so it stops existing.
Common pairings
disband a group
officially disbanded
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- disbands
- Past tense
- disbanded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The band _____ after their final tour.
Etymology
Attested since the 1590s, from Middle French desbander, from des- + bande ("band").
Class of 1590
disband joined the language around 1590.
See the full Class of 1590 →
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “disband” mean?
The word “disband” means to break up a group so it no longer exists; to disperse. In plain terms, to break up a group, team, or organization so it stops existing.
How do you pronounce “disband”?
“Disband” is pronounced dihs-BAND (/dɪsˈbænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “disband” in a sentence?
Here is “disband” used in a sentence: “The band disbanded after their final tour.”
What part of speech is “disband”?
“Disband” is a verb.
Where does the word “disband” come from?
The word “disband” dates back to around 1590 and comes from Middle French. Attested since the 1590s, from Middle French desbander, from des- + bande ("band").
