tape

1 of 3

noun

1
: a narrow flexible strip or band: such as
2
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.

tape

3 of 3

adjective

1
: recorded on tape
tape music
2
: intended for use with recording (such as magnetic) tape
a tape cartridge

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Near the bandshell and about 20 feet from one of the park's crowded walkways, crime scene tape still surrounded the spot where a backpack believed to belong to the shooter was found Friday. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024 These drives support new tape cartridge media using Strontium Ferrite magnetic particles. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
The sensors for electromyography (EMG), which is like an EKG for muscles outside the heart, were taped to his residual limb and detected the electrical activity in his leg muscles. Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Font: Strange Burden Austin quintet Font played local gigs for three years before committing any songs to tape. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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 Artisan guilds and filmmakers balked at the academy’s decision to pre-tape eight award categories, including original score and film editing, to limit the run time to three hours. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for tape 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tape was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near tape

Cite this Entry

“Tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tape. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
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

Medical Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tape

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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