The Collaborative Dictionary

Wristband \Wrist"band\, n. The band of the sleeve of a shirt, or other garment, which covers the wrist. [1913 Webster]

Word Net

wristband

1 band consisting of a part of a sleeve that covers the wrist

2 a band of cloth or leather or metal links attached to a wristwatch and wrapped around the wrist [syn: watchband, watchstrap, watch bracelet, bracelet]

Moby Thesaurus

anklet, armlet, band, bangle, beads, belt, bijou, bracelet, breastpin, brooch, chain, chaplet, charm, chatelaine, cincture, cingulum, circle, collar, collarband, coronet, crown, diadem, earring, ecliptic, equator, fascia, fillet, finger ring, fob, gem, girdle, girt, girth, great circle, hoop, jewel, locket, neckband, necklace, nose ring, pin, precious stone, quoit, rhinestone, ring, stickpin, stone, tiara, torque, wampum, wristlet, zodiac, zone

English

Etymology

wrist + band

Noun

1. the cuff of a sleeve that wraps around the wrist
2. a strip of material worn around the wrist, e.g. to absorb perspiration, especially in sports
3. a band that supports a wristwatch
4. a cord worn around the wrist, used to hold a small object such as a knife: a lanyard

Translations

• Dutch: polsband
• Finnish: ranneke

Synonyms

• (strip around the wrist) wristlet
• (cord used to hold a small object) lanyard

See also

• bracelet

Wristbands are encircling strips worn on the wrist, made of any of a variety of materials depending on the purpose. The term can be used to refer to the bracelet-like band of a wristwatch, to the cuff or other part of a sleeve that covers the wrist, or to decorative or functional bands worn on the wrist for other reasons, such as lanyards.

One type of wristband is also known as a sweatband, and is usually made of a towel-like terrycloth material. These are usually used to wipe sweat from the forehead during sport, or as a badge or fashion statement. A practice common in mid-eighties punk subculture was to cut the top off of a sock and fashion the elastic into this type of wristband. Another common type of wristband is the loops of plastic or tyvek that are placed around the wrist for identification purposes (demonstrating the wearer's authorization to be at a venue, for example).

Silicone wristbands

In the early to mid-2000s, bracelets often made of silicone became popular. They are worn to demonstrate the wearer's support of a cause or charitable organization, similar to awareness ribbons. Such wristbands are sometimes called awareness bracelets to distinguish them from other types of wristbands.

Potato Chip Bag Wristband

Potato chip bags are often made into wristbands by shrinking them in the oven. There are photo instructions to make one here.

References

diyfashion.about.com.