videotape

¹vid·eo·tape

noun \ˈvi-dē-ō-ˌtāp\

Definition of VIDEOTAPE

: a recording of visual images and sound (as of a television production) made on magnetic tape; also : the magnetic tape used for such a recording

Examples of VIDEOTAPE

1. I watched the movie on videotape.
2. <watched a videotape of her daughter's first ballet recital>

First Known Use of VIDEOTAPE

1953

Related to VIDEOTAPE

Synonyms

tape, tape recording, vid, video

Related Words

DVD, laser disc; videocassette, videodisc (or videodisk)

Rhymes with VIDEOTAPE

acquaintance rape, adhesive tape, anthropoid ape, bent out of shape, magnetic tape

²videotape

transitive verb

Definition of VIDEOTAPE

: to make a videotape of <videotape a show>

Examples of VIDEOTAPE

1. They videotaped the baby's first steps.

First Known Use of VIDEOTAPE

1958

videotape

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Magnetic tape used to record visual images and sound, or the recording itself. There are two types of videotape recorders, the transverse (or quad) and the helical. The transverse unit uses four heads rotating on an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the tape is fed. The transverse format achieves 1,500-in.-per-minute head-to-tape speed, necessary for high picture quality. The helical unit uses tape traveling around a drum in the form of a helix. VCRs use a helical format, known as VHS (Video Home System), consisting of two helical bands and tape 1/2 in. (1 cm) wide.