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

Noun

• tape recording
• vid
• video
• videotape

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

Industrial-strength double-sided tapes, like Gorilla Tape, offer a durable, weather-resistant bond that works well for smooth, flat surfaces. —Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025

Stephanie brings a pistol along, with Sean stuck in the middle in an elaborate attempt to get the dearly-but-not-really departed to confess to murder on tape. —Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 1 May 2025

Verb

Notably, federal funds help to pay for maintaining equipment and studios where public media programs are taped. —Josh Shepperd, The Conversation, 2 May 2025

The alligator left the scene in the back of a pickup, with its jaws taped shut. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025

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

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

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