videotape

1 of 2

noun

vid·​eo·​tape ˈvi-dē-ō-ˌtāp 

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

also : the medium used for such a recording

videotape

2 of 2

verb

videotaped; videotaping; videotapes

transitive verb

: to make a videotape of

videotape a show

Synonyms of videotape

Noun

• video
• tape

Examples of videotape in a Sentence

Noun

I watched the movie on videotape.

watched a videotape of her daughter's first ballet recital

Verb

They videotaped the baby's first steps.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pisanthanakun says that 20 years ago, horror was all about the concept – ghosts in photos or on videotapes – with filmmakers competing over where to make the ghost appear. — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026

Rulings in two appeals courts defined a consumer, under this law, as anybody who purchases, rents or subscribes to any good or service from a videotape service provider. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

In another, officers took video while chasing a man who was videotaping them through oncoming traffic. — Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

At least two other residents also allegedly were videotaped, one while in the shower and another while sitting on a toilet wearing only socks. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing videotape

• videotape recorder

Rhymes for videotape

• cityscape
• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape
• crepe

Kids Definition

videotape

1 of 2 noun

vid·​eo·​tape ˈvid-ē-ō-ˌtāp 

: 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

videotape

2 of 2 verb

: to make a videotape of

videotape a show