tape

1 of 3

noun

ˈtāp 

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 of tape

Noun

• videotape
• video

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.

She stuck a tape in the VCR.

Verb

She taped a note to the refrigerator.

I taped the box shut.

The show is taped before a live audience.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With delirious melodic instincts, the Bronx rapper’s new tape evokes Young Money-era swag on a SoundCloud budget. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

What Washington put on tape against the Eagles was more trial. — Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Verb

Behind the scenes, however, the host didn’t make the request until 1 in the afternoon, and the vignette wasn’t taped until 4 — closing in on the show’s taping time. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

The atmosphere is cozy and friendly, with pictures of smiling customers and staff taped to door frames and to the wall. — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

Adjective

In 2009, the Directors’ Guild and the Writers’ Guild objected when the TV Academy revealed a plan to pre-tape award presentations in eight categories before the show. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026

There’s not all that much to this pre-tape, really, outside the fun turn of Sarah Sherman’s character getting stuck halfway between human and frog morph from sneezing and farting at the same time. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing tape

• adhesive tape
• bias tape
• broke the tape
• cut through red tape
• duct tape
• friction tape
• magnetic tape
• mag tape
• masking tape
• measuring tape
• mix tape
• pre-tape
• red tape
• sticky tape
• tape deck
• tape grass
• tape measure
• tape player
• tape-record
• tape recorder
• tape recording
• the tape
• ticker tape
• ticker-tape parade
• washi tape

Rhymes for tape

• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe
• drape
• gape
• grape
• pape
• rape
• scape
• scrape
• shape

Kids Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun

ˈtāp 

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 

: 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