tape

noun \ ˈtāp \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of tape

1 : a narrow flexible strip or band: such as

a : adhesive tape

b : magnetic tape; also : cassette 2b

2 : tape recording

3 : a string or ribbon stretched breast-high above the finish line of a race

4 : a narrow woven fabric

See tape defined for English-language learners

See tape defined for kids

Examples of tape in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of tape from the Web

That funeral was postponed, despite the fact some mourners arrived early to find crime scene tape, it was reported.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Father and son fought at their family funeral home. Both had guns, but only one fired, police say | Charlotte Observer," 3 Apr. 2018
Also requested are Blu-ray DVDs, DVDs, CDs, VCR tapes, books on CDs and books on DVDs.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Vernon Edition," 3 Apr. 2018
The album is going to be available on cassette tape, 8-track, vinyl, CD, digitally, and – most impressively – on Edison cylinder.

— Southern Living, "Why The Oak Ridge Boys’ Music Will Never Get Old," 3 Apr. 2018
Bookstock will offer more than 300,000 donated used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, magazines and vinyl for sale.

— rochelle riley, Detroit Free Press, "What flavor is the Best Cupcake Ever? Bookstock wants to find out," 3 Apr. 2018
Hardcover and paperback fiction books, audiobooks, VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs will also be marked half off.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Women's Club plans fashion show," 30 Mar. 2018
The 'smoking gun' tape The Watergate break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee occurred on June 17, 1972.

— peter grier, The Christian Science Monitor, "The perennial presidential urge to bring FBI 'under control'," 29 Mar. 2018
Television cameras had caught Bancroft rubbing the ball with what was originally described as sticky tape and dirt, then trying to hide the materials down the front of his pants.

— tom schad, USA TODAY, "Sandpaper scandal shakes Australian national cricket team as cheating plot revealed," 28 Mar. 2018
The police tapes, released by Coral Springs police, provide more evidence that Peterson mishandled the crisis in its earliest stages, one of several lapses in the law enforcement response.

— lisa j. huriash, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bad info from school cop hindered rescue at Stoneman Douglas, tapes reveal," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tape.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tape

Middle English, from Old English tæppe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

tape

verb

Definition of tape

taped; taping

transitive verb

1 : to fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape

2 : to record on tape and especially magnetic tape

tape an interview

intransitive verb

: to record something on tape and especially magnetic tape

See tape defined for English-language learners

Examples of tape in a Sentence

She taped a note to the refrigerator.
I taped the box shut.
The show is taped before a live audience.

Recent Examples of tape from the Web

The former Fox News anchor is using the conservative channel's New York office to tape No Spin News.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 16 Oct. 2017
Boone will tape it up and go, but ankle injuries often need a full offseason to heal.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "UC's Boone still bouncing back from ankle injury," 7 Oct. 2017
The program will tape at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House — the third time Kimmel has done the show at BAM.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "David Letterman, Howard Stern to visit Jimmy Kimmel," 4 Oct. 2017
Though these shows don’t tape on Fridays, the Weinstein news broke in the early afternoon on Thursday—leaving writers more than enough time to crash a joke or two.

— laura bradley, vanityfair.com, "Why Was John Oliver the First Late-Night Host to Slam Harvey Weinstein?," 9 Oct. 2017
Though these shows don’t tape on Fridays, the Weinstein news broke in the early afternoon on Thursday—leaving writers more than enough time to crash a joke or two.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Why Was John Oliver the First Late-Night Host to Slam Harvey Weinstein?," 9 Oct. 2017
The 8th annual event will tape at the Grand Ole Opry House later this fall and air Monday, November 27th at 8/7c.

— Southern Living, "Sing It Now! Reba McEntire’s Amazing Holiday Collection Has Arrived," 22 Sep. 2017
The exchange took place as Trump and Bush were on board on an Access Hollywood bus, arriving on the set of Days of Our Lives to tape a segment about a cameo Trump was filming for the soap opera at the time.

— natalie stone, PEOPLE.com, "Billy Bush and Wife Sydney Davis Separating After Nearly 20 Years of Marriage," 19 Sep. 2017
In addition to his ambitious touring schedule, the trumpeter is planning to tape a new PBS show in early 2018, and to record a new CD next summer.

— by ellise pierce, star-telegram, "Devotion: Chris Botti, renowned trumpeter, seemingly always on tour – and coming to Fort Worth," 6 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of tape

1609

tape

adjective

Definition of tape

1 : recorded on tape

tape music

2 : intended for use with recording (such as magnetic) tape

a tape cartridge

First Known Use of tape

1947

TAPE Defined for English Language Learners

tape

noun

Definition of tape for English Language Learners

: a long, narrow piece of material that is sticky on one side and that is used to stick things together or to cover or repair something
: a thin piece of plastic that is coated with magnetic material on which information (such as sound or television images) may be stored
: something recorded on tape

tape

verb

Definition of tape for English Language Learners

: to attach (something) using sticky tape
: to fasten, tie, or cover (something) with tape
: to record (something) on magnetic tape

TAPE Defined for Kids

tape

noun \ ˈtāp \

Definition of tape for Students

1 : a narrow strip of material that is sticky on one side and is used to stick one thing to another

2 : magnetic tape

3 : ¹videotape 2

4 : tape recording

5 : a narrow band of cloth or plastic

He broke the tape and won the race.

tape

verb

Definition of tape for Students

taped; taping

1 : to fasten, cover, or hold up with sticky tape

2 : to make a recording of

She taped their conversation.

Medical Dictionary

tape

noun \ ˈtāp \

medical Definition of tape

: a narrow band of woven fabric; especially : adhesive tape

tape

transitive verb

medical Definition of tape

taped; taping

: to fasten, tie, bind, cover, or support with tape and especially adhesive tape

Learn More about tape

See words that rhyme with tape Spanish Central: Translation of tape Nglish: Translation of tape for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tape for Arabic speakers

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tape

Definition of tape

Examples of tape in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tape from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tape

tape

Definition of tape

Examples of tape in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tape from the Web

First Known Use of tape

tape

Definition of tape

First Known Use of tape

Phrases Related to TAPE

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TAPE Defined for English Language Learners

tape

Definition of tape for English Language Learners

tape

Definition of tape for English Language Learners

TAPE Defined for Kids

tape

Definition of tape for Students

tape

Definition of tape for Students

Medical Dictionary

tape

medical Definition of tape

tape

medical Definition of tape

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