tape

1 of 3

noun

ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
Synonyms of tapenext
1
: a narrow flexible strip or band: such as
a
: adhesive tape
b
: magnetic tape
also : cassette sense 2b
2
: tape recording
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.
broadly : record sense intransitive

tape

3 of 3

adjective

1
: recorded on tape
tape music
2
: intended for use with recording (such as magnetic) tape
a tape cartridge

Synonyms of tape

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
As the plants grow, tie the main stem to the stake every seven to 10 days using garden twine or tape. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 Evidence markers were on the sidewalk throughout the area, which remained cordoned off with yellow police tape. — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Verb
The blue gown, fluorescent lights and IV taped to her arm were all familiar. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 24 June 2026 According to Witt, roughly two out of every 10 guests cry during taping. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
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 There’s not all that much to this pre-tape, really, outside the fun turn of Sarah Sherman’s character getting stuck halfway between human and frog morph from sneezing and farting at the same time. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tape

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

Rhymes for tape

See All Rhymes for tape

Browse Nearby Words

tap drill
tape
tape condenser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tape. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
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
: tape-record

Medical Definition

tape

1 of 2 noun
ˈtāp How to pronounce tape (audio)
: 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

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