face mask
noun
plural face masks
1
: a mask or protective covering for the face or part of the face
downhill skiers wearing neoprene face masks and goggles
: such as
a
medical
(1)
: a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) for the mouth and nose that is worn especially to reduce the spread of infectious agents (such as viruses or bacteria)
The Irish actor, 43, stopped by a supermarket to pick up groceries and wore a cloth face mask as protection against COVID-19.—
Rachel Mcgrath
Rachel McgrathA range of online retailers and in-store shops are selling face masks. … Opt for surgical masks or cloth masks with at least three layers.—Tessa Akerman
Tessa AkermanNursing homes in New Hampshire have received face masks with flimsy paper ear loops instead of elastic bands.—Andrew Jacobs
Andrew Jacobs
(2)
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) : mask sense 2b(1)
… the patient was breathing 40% oxygen by face mask.—Athe M. N. Tsibris et al.
Athe M. N. Tsibris et al.
b
sports
: a covering typically attaching to the front of a helmet that consists of a hard, clear material (such as polycarbonate) or a cage of metal (such as steel or a titanium alloy) and is worn to protect the wearer's face from injury
In my hand, I held my silver football helmet with its full cage face mask.—John Killen
John Killen… jersey numbers define the player in football, where helmets and face masks make it harder to identify a player's face.—Bill Pennington
Bill PenningtonSkates … elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey stick, athletic supporter or pelvic protector, … and an HECC [Hockey Equipment Certification Council] approved hockey helmet with full face mask are required.—Palm Beach (Florida) Post
Palm Beach (Florida) Post2
or face mask penalty American football
: a penalty imposed on a player for grabbing and pulling an opponent's face mask during play
… the Wolverines' Grant Perry was called for a face mask during a Desmond King punt return, giving Iowa the ball at Michigan's 36-yard line.—The Buffalo (New York) News
The Buffalo (New York) Newsa 15-yard face mask penalty
Examples of face mask in a Sentence
gas delivered to the patient via face mask
Recent Examples on the Web
Video circulating on social media shows Turner dropping to her knee and removing her protective face mask as her opponent, Redmond Sullivan, watches.
—Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025
The university agreed to those conditions plus others, including changes to rules on wearing face masks at protests and student discipline.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Collagen face masks provide deep hydration to the skin, helping to improve elasticity while reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
In footage shared by the International Space Station on X, Hague is seen entering the hatch of the spacecraft wearing an alien face mask.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face mask
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Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025
The university agreed to those conditions plus others, including changes to rules on wearing face masks at protests and student discipline.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Collagen face masks provide deep hydration to the skin, helping to improve elasticity while reducing redness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
In footage shared by the International Space Station on X, Hague is seen entering the hatch of the spacecraft wearing an alien face mask.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face mask
Cite this Entry
“Face mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face%20mask. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
face mask
noun
: a mask or protective covering for the face or part of the face: such as
a
: a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) for the mouth and nose that is worn especially to reduce the spread of infectious agents (such as viruses or bacteria)
Findings demonstrate that, regardless of the type, setting, or who wears the face mask, it serves primarily a dual preventive purpose; protecting oneself from getting viral infection and protecting others. Therefore, if everyone wears a face mask in public, it offers a double barrier against COVID-19 transmission.—Mary Abboah-Offei et al., International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
Mary Abboah-Offei et al., International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances
b
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as general anesthetic) : mask sense 2a
Using a face mask (on the nose and mouth simultaneously) … throughout the induction and maintenance of anesthesia with inhalants is the simplest and least invasive method of anesthesia for short surgery.—Omid Aghadavoudi et al., Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Omid Aghadavoudi et al., Anesthesiology and Pain MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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