videotape

noun vid·eo·tape \ ˈvi-dē-ō-ˌtāp \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Definition of videotape

: a recording of visual images and sound (as of a television production) made on magnetic tape; also : the magnetic tape used for such a recording

See videotape defined for English-language learners

See videotape defined for kids

Examples of videotape in a Sentence

I watched the movie on videotape.
watched a videotape of her daughter's first ballet recital

Recent Examples of videotape from the Web

On the night that Justin goes missing there was even more videotape evidence from Cooper Jackson's dorm.

— CBS News, "Catfishing relationship between strangers leads to the murder of an innocent Marine," 19 June 2018
But although Thailand black site was officially closed, the videotapes documenting what the CIA did there remained.

— jennifer williams, Vox, "Gina Haspel, Trump’s controversial pick for CIA director, explained," 9 May 2018
As part of those proceedings, the videotape of Clinton's false testimony became public, taking its place in his legacy.

— author: charlie savage, Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Why talking to Mueller could be a minefield for Trump," 2 May 2018
Currently, the collection has 7,000 hours of testimonies on videotape.

— vincent t. davis, San Antonio Express-News, "National history program interviews local African American leaders," 8 June 2018
Haspel also faced tough questions about her involvement in the destruction of 92 videotapes that showed prisoners being waterboarded.

— erin kelly, USA TODAY, "Senate panel votes to endorse Gina Haspel as first female CIA director," 16 May 2018
Mendoza watched his cousin’s funeral on a videotape his family mailed to him in Maryland.

— maria sacchetti, Washington Post, "Going home after half a lifetime," 30 May 2018
In 2004, René Bejarano, Mr. López Obrador’s former personal secretary, was caught on videotape accepting wads of bills from a businessman.

— juan montes, WSJ, "‘Tropical Messiah’: A Trump-Style Politician Is Mexican Presidential Front Runner," 30 May 2018
Many contrasted Gaskill's actions to that of the uniformed resource officer shown on videotape waiting outside of Florida's Stoneman Douglas High School during February shootings that killed 17 people.

— chicagotribune.com, "School resource officer Blaine Gaskill helped stop gunman at a Maryland high school," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'videotape.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of videotape

1953

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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videotape

verb

Definition of videotape

videotaped; videotaping; videotapes

transitive verb

: to make a videotape of

videotape a show

See videotape defined for English-language learners

Examples of videotape in a Sentence

They videotaped the baby's first steps.

Recent Examples of videotape from the Web

Its holdings include photographs, archives and videotaped first-person accounts from villagers and individuals who were rescued.

— lucian perkins, Smithsonian, "This French Town Has Welcomed Refugees for 400 Years," 27 June 2018
The rapper was even videotaped (by crowds of fans) getting down on one knee and surprising his girlfriend on stage in the middle of Power 99's Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Cardi B Confirms She Married Offset in September," 25 June 2018
Police in Central Massachusetts are asking the public to be on the lookout for a suspicious driver approaching children and in one instance apparently videotaping them, reports CBS Boston.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Parents in Massachusetts on alert after reports of driver trying to lure, videotape children," 14 June 2018
In 2013, a former gymnast filed a lawsuit in Georgia after her coach, William McCabe, secretly videotaped her in states of undress.

— rachel axon, USA TODAY, "USA Gymnastics CEO said ‘we’re pretty good’ as sex abuse crisis was nearing," 12 June 2018
The testimony was videotaped and later provided to the House of Representatives, which released it publicly.

— New York Times, "When the President Testified: People in the Room Recall Clinton’s 1998 Interrogation," 29 May 2018
The operation videotaped politicians and others taking bribes from federal agents posing as oil-rich Arabs seeking favors on immigration problems and investment projects.

— robert d. mcfadden, New York Times, "Mel Weinberg, 93, the F.B.I.’s Lure in the Abscam Sting, Dies," 6 June 2018
In that incident, also videotaped, a manager called police after two black men came to wait for a friend, but didn't order anything.

— chris woodyard, USA TODAY, "Islamophobic? Coffee shop refuses to serve man caught on tape confronting Muslim woman," 15 May 2018
From her hospital bed, in a soft voice, Isabella videotaped a message for the singer.

— karina bland, azcentral, "Badly burned girl hopes to meet Taylor Swift after taking strength in her music," 2 May 2018

First Known Use of videotape

1957

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

VIDEOTAPE Defined for English Language Learners

videotape

noun

Definition of videotape for English Language Learners

: tape on which movies, television shows, etc., can be recorded
: a movie, TV program, etc., that is recorded on videotape

videotape

verb

Definition of videotape for English Language Learners

: to record (someone or something) on videotape

VIDEOTAPE Defined for Kids

videotape

noun vid·eo·tape \ ˈvi-dē-ō-ˌtāp \

Definition of videotape for Students

1 : a recording of visual images and sound (as of a television production) made on magnetic tape

2 : the magnetic tape used for such a recording

videotape

verb

Definition of videotape for Students

videotaped; videotaping

: to make a videotape of

Learn More about videotape

See words that rhyme with videotape Spanish Central: Translation of videotape Nglish: Translation of videotape for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of videotape for Arabic speakers

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Definition of videotape

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First Known Use of videotape

videotape

Definition of videotape

Examples of videotape in a Sentence

Recent Examples of videotape from the Web

First Known Use of videotape

VIDEOTAPE Defined for English Language Learners

videotape

Definition of videotape for English Language Learners

videotape

Definition of videotape for English Language Learners

VIDEOTAPE Defined for Kids

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Definition of videotape for Students

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