tape

1 of 3

noun

ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
Synonyms of tapenext
1
: a narrow flexible strip or band: such as
a
: adhesive tape
b
: magnetic tape
also : cassette sense 2b
2
: tape recording
3
: a string or ribbon stretched breast-high above the finish line of a race
4
: a narrow woven fabric

tape

2 of 3

verb

taped; taping; tapes

transitive verb

1
: to fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape
2
: to record (something, such as sound or video) on magnetic tape
tape an interview
The show was taped before a live audience.
broadly : record sense transitive 3
taped the performance on her phone

intransitive verb

: to record something on magnetic tape
He was already taping when I walked into the studio.
broadly : record sense intransitive

tape

3 of 3

adjective

1
: recorded on tape
tape music
2
: intended for use with recording (such as magnetic) tape
a tape cartridge

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of tape in a Sentence

Noun His eyeglasses are held together with tape. The show was recorded on tape. I was listening to a tape in the car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Eventually the band banter established that the song might’ve been deemed tricky due to having too many chords, which led to a recollection of Wiedlin having once put tape markers on her guitar as cheats. — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 Kind of felt like slow motion, got his head up and put it on my tape. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
From the beginning, Phish both taped its shows and allowed others to tape them, which means that there is now an overwhelming amount of recorded music to manage. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 The film also draws from previously unheard phone calls taped by Lennon and Ono as a safeguard against FBI wiretapping ordered by Nixon's government. — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
This time, all 23 categories will be presented live at the event after last year's decision to pre-tape eight competitive categories sparked backlash from industry professionals. — Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2023 Artisan guilds and filmmakers balked at the academy’s decision to pre-tape eight award categories, including original score and film editing, to limit the run time to three hours. — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2022 See All Example Sentences for tape

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English tæppe

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tape was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing tape

Rhymes for tape

See All Rhymes for tape

Browse Nearby Words

tap drill
tape
tape condenser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tape. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
1
: a narrow band of woven fabric
2
: a string stretched breast-high above the finishing line of a race
3
: a narrow flexible strip or band
especially : magnetic tape
4
: a recording made on magnetic tape

tape

2 of 2 verb
taped; taping
1
: to fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape
2
: to measure with a tape measure
3
: tape-record

Medical Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
: a narrow band of woven fabric
especially : adhesive tape

tape

2 of 2 transitive verb
taped; taping
: to fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape and especially adhesive tape

More from Merriam-Webster on tape

Nglish: Translation of tape for Spanish Speakers

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