armband

An armband is a band worn around the upper arm. It can be made from fabric, elastic, leather, plastic, or metal and is secured by stitching, an elastic loop, Velcro, buckles, or snaps. Armbands serve a broad range of functions, including identification, signaling a role or status, decoration, or holding a device.

Common uses include hospital patient identification bands displaying a patient’s name and key details; event or venue bands that grant admission; and security or crowd-control identifiers. In sports and fitness, armbands may indicate a captain or role on a team, or be used to hold devices such as phones or music players during training.

Medical and safety applications are also common, with medical alert armbands conveying important health information to first responders and caregivers. Pediatric or personal identification armbands are used in schools, camps, or travel contexts to aid in quick identification.

Armbands appear as fashion items or symbols within organizations, and some designs have been associated with political movements. Such associations can be controversial, and the display of certain armband designs may be restricted in some contexts. The form and style of armbands vary by purpose, ranging from simple, unobtrusive bands to highly visible insignia that convey specific affiliations or roles.