mourning band

American  

noun

1. a piece of black cloth that is worn, especially as a band encircling the upper arm, to indicate mourning.

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mourning band British  

noun

1. a piece of black material, esp an armband, worn to indicate that the wearer is in mourning

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Etymology

Origin of mourning band

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Pershing, wearing a dark mourning band on one sleeve, and Harding, wearing a top hat, walked side by side behind the caisson.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2021

It was a simple silk stovepipe piece, size 7 ⅛, adorned with a three-inch-high silk mourning band, which Lincoln wore in memory of his son Willie.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2018

Wearing the traditional red mourning band of Ghana around their heads, the students gathered before the Ghana embassy on a street a mile from Red Square.

From Time Magazine Archive

“So from a sort of visual point, he’s . . . making a comment by keeping this mourning band on,” he said.

From Washington Post

He put away the work basket and fitted the coat with the mourning band very carefully on his shoulders.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers