bandwith
Available capacity or resources to take on tasks
Examples
In a meeting
“I don't have the bandwidth to take on another project right now.”
Over coffee
“I'd love to help but I just don't have the bandwidth this week.”
Why this word
capacity
Capacity is generic — bandwidth specifically refers to the throughput or processing limit of a system, network, or person.
speed
Speed measures how fast something moves; bandwidth measures how much can flow through at once.
Usage tip
Use to politely indicate you're at capacity without listing specific constraints
Etymology
Engineering: from data transmission capacity measurement
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Related words
backlog
An accumulation of work that needs to be completed
saturate
Fill completely until no more can be absorbed
overwhelm
To have too much to deal with or to overpower
bandwidth
Available capacity or mental energy to handle tasks
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.