SINCE 1828
the tape
nounDefinition of the tape
: a long, thin piece of material that is stretched across the finish line of a race to be broken by the first one across the line
She broke the tape in record time.
Comments on the tape
What made you want to look up the tape? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Summer 2019 Words of the Day Quiz
-
- Which is a synonym of desideratum?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Summer 2019 Words of the Day Quiz
The Word of the Day takes no vacation.
Take the quiz -
Obscure Shapes
Surprisingly specific words for shapes.
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share the tape
Resources for the tape