armband

Everyday

1. An armband is a band of cloth worn around the upper arm to show something, like that someone is team captain or that someone has died. tree →
2. Armbands are small inflatable rings worn on the arms to help children float while learning to swim; Americans call them water wings or floaties. tree →

In the lessons

In swimming and water safety, young children wear armbands, but armbands are not life jackets, and children must still be watched by an adult. In sport, the captain wears an armband. In history, people wore black armbands to show sadness. Phrases: «captain's armband», «black armband».

Examples

• My little sister swims with armbands. tree →
• Armbands are not a safety device, so an adult must still watch. tree →
• The captain wore an armband on his sleeve. tree →
• The players wore black armbands to remember a friend. tree →
• Blow up your armbands before you get in the pool. tree →
• The steward wore a yellow armband. tree →
• I don't need armbands any more. tree →
• He handed the armband to the new captain. tree →

Note

Countable; one word. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, «armbands» (swimming) are what Americans call «water wings» or «floaties». Safety: armbands can slip off or burst, so they never replace adult supervision.