1
2
3
: a string or ribbon stretched breast-high above the finish line of a race
4
: a narrow woven fabric
taped; taping; tapes
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.
: to record something on magnetic tape
He was already taping when I walked into the studio.
broadly
: record sense intransitive
1
: recorded on tape
tape music
2
: intended for use with recording (such as magnetic) tape
a tape cartridge
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
It was assembled from soundboard tapes by Seattle producer/engineer Jack Endino, who produced the band’s 1989 debut album, Bleach.
—Jonathan Cohen, Spin, 5 Sep. 2023
The Little Mermaid is available in its original VHS tape format as well as on digital, Blu-ray and DVD on Amazon, Best Buy and Prime Video.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Oppo dump: Jeff Roe, who helms the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, took credit for passing opposition research about businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to reporters, according to an audio tape reported on by Politico.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023
But another retail space, Musica Latina, has been selling equipment, CDs, cassette tapes, records, posters and magazines with the music of Mexico since the 1970s.
—Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
In the case of rain, Burning Man emphasizes the importance of wood blocks to help keep generators and other electronic devices dry and electrical tape to seal off connections.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023
Throughout the morning, police tape roped off the lot next to 189 Essex St. as people milled around, often teary eyed, sitting quietly and hugging each other.
—Sean Cotter, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Any consumers who notice their cereal box or bag has been tampered with, such as the clear tape that was found in this case, should contact us.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
Kristi Pahr, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
The show will tape in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will premiere on BET one week later, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2023
Also nominated at the show, which will tape in Atlanta and air on October 10 at 9 p.m. EST, are Ice Spice, Burna Boy, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Latto, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2023
The news crew was taping a story about robberies in the West Town neighborhood that was slated to run on the morning news.
—Robert Channick Chicago Tribune (tns), al, 29 Aug. 2023
In the years that followed Cofield’s first prison transfer, he was found with phones in his soapbox, taped around his waist, and inside his undershorts.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
Case in point: this eye-catching update of Nike’s celebrated Air Max, festooned with exaggerated stitching, taped seams, and bright orange detailing.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
The new post came a day after Trump skipped the first Republican primary debate, choosing instead to tape an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that was posted on X as counterprogramming at the start of the debate.
—Jill Colvin, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
Carlson taped an interview with Trump several days ago and plans to stream it on X, formerly known as Twitter.
—WSJ, 24 Aug. 2023
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
Ted DiBiase cut an amazing pre-tape promo before this match about the importance of the Million-Dollar Championship.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 May 2021
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Noun
In that case, Holder said, the building station, now filled with cardboard, tape and wooden modules, might become a robotics space.
—Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
It was assembled from soundboard tapes by Seattle producer/engineer Jack Endino, who produced the band’s 1989 debut album, Bleach.
—Jonathan Cohen, Spin, 5 Sep. 2023
The Little Mermaid is available in its original VHS tape format as well as on digital, Blu-ray and DVD on Amazon, Best Buy and Prime Video.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2023
Oppo dump: Jeff Roe, who helms the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, took credit for passing opposition research about businessman Vivek Ramaswamy to reporters, according to an audio tape reported on by Politico.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023
But another retail space, Musica Latina, has been selling equipment, CDs, cassette tapes, records, posters and magazines with the music of Mexico since the 1970s.
—Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023
In the case of rain, Burning Man emphasizes the importance of wood blocks to help keep generators and other electronic devices dry and electrical tape to seal off connections.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023
Throughout the morning, police tape roped off the lot next to 189 Essex St. as people milled around, often teary eyed, sitting quietly and hugging each other.
—Sean Cotter, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Any consumers who notice their cereal box or bag has been tampered with, such as the clear tape that was found in this case, should contact us.
—Kaitlin Stevens, Peoplemag, 2 Sep. 2023
Verb
The needle is removed, and the tube, called a catheter, is taped in place.
—Kristi Pahr, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
The show will tape in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will premiere on BET one week later, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2023
Also nominated at the show, which will tape in Atlanta and air on October 10 at 9 p.m. EST, are Ice Spice, Burna Boy, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Latto, and more.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2023
The news crew was taping a story about robberies in the West Town neighborhood that was slated to run on the morning news.
—Robert Channick Chicago Tribune (tns), al, 29 Aug. 2023
In the years that followed Cofield’s first prison transfer, he was found with phones in his soapbox, taped around his waist, and inside his undershorts.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023
Case in point: this eye-catching update of Nike’s celebrated Air Max, festooned with exaggerated stitching, taped seams, and bright orange detailing.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2023
The new post came a day after Trump skipped the first Republican primary debate, choosing instead to tape an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that was posted on X as counterprogramming at the start of the debate.
—Jill Colvin, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
Carlson taped an interview with Trump several days ago and plans to stream it on X, formerly known as Twitter.
—WSJ, 24 Aug. 2023
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
Ted DiBiase cut an amazing pre-tape promo before this match about the importance of the Million-Dollar Championship.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 May 2021
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing tape
Articles Related to tape
Dictionary Entries Near tape
Cite this Entry
“Tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tape. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
tape
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of tape for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tape for Arabic Speakers
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