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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
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 See More

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

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.

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

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