red tape

noun

: official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction
bureaucratic red tape
… enterprisers that show how people across the Nation are coping (or not coping) with such problems as unemployment, the budget deficit and Government red tape.John Weisman
… pompous officials (often lowly clerks) in love with red tape who delight in obstructing the expedition of what should be simple procedures.Norman W. Schur
Initial plans became irretrievably mired in the red tape of building permissions.Bella Pollen
Their plan is simple enough and none too glamorous: create a Web site to help people cut through red tape; i.e., pay for parking tickets and so on.Sarah Kerr

Examples of red tape in a Sentence

You would not believe the red tape involved in getting the required permits.
Recent Examples on the Web People who wanted to quit opioids told of frustrating red tape and humiliating rules. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 But those that are resisting say the requirements would be unduly onerous and burden them with hefty costs, red tape and new liabilities. Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The news was accompanied by what appears to be the color theme of the Clancy album, red tape, which was spotted over the digital covers of the band’s albums on streaming services. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 The governor and the Legislature have been chipping away at regulatory red tape that slows housing construction and increases costs, but progress has been minimal. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Benny had been known for flooding the streets over the past decade, but real life, major-label red tape, and his overall creative patience made finalizing Everybody Can’t Go a more intensive process than he’s ever experienced. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2024 These additional hurdles are baffling to the organizers, many of whom have run GoFundMe campaigns for other causes and have never encountered this extra red tape. Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 Washington could also clear some red tape for its allies. Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2024 The opinion, which resolved differing rulings in lower courts, established a new precedent that broadens the way California residents can modify trusts without as much worry that legal red tape will hinder their wishes from being carried out after death. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red tape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the red tape formerly used to bind legal documents in England

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red tape was in 1736

Dictionary Entries Near red tape

Cite this Entry

“Red tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20tape. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

red tape

noun
: rules and regulations that waste people's time

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