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

Authorities placed yellow tape near the turnstiles at Grand Central to bar commuters from entering. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026

In the nearly 50 years since it was released, Faces of Death has become something of a cursed object, the kind of movie that gets traded around on old VHS tapes and spoken about in hushed tones on playgrounds and in video stores. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Intentionally, there is no permanent Tunnel Projects sign anywhere in the complex, though a small map on a signpost is set out inconspicuously at a side entrance, and a paper guide is taped to the wall next to the ground-floor elevator, which is hidden in an alcove. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

Kay taped the hour at the SoHo Playhouse in Manhattan, New York. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026

Adjective

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

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

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