1
2
3
: a string or ribbon stretched breast-high above the finish line of a race
4
: a narrow woven fabric
taped; taping; tapes
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.
: to record something on magnetic tape
He was already taping when I walked into the studio.
broadly
: record sense intransitive
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Once Campbell's body had been taken out of the water, deputies were able to match fabrics, rope and tape found at Grim's home to those found on the victim.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
And some fans have started taping their chests at your shows as well.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tape
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Doechii clarified that the issues came from having to put grip tape on the desk, another prop being used in the show.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Once Campbell's body had been taken out of the water, deputies were able to match fabrics, rope and tape found at Grim's home to those found on the victim.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The friend found a plastic bag taped to the undercarriage of the car, hidden away and holding a set of AirPods inside their case, according to the report.
—Mitchell Willetts, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
And some fans have started taping their chests at your shows as well.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for tape
Cite this Entry
“Tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tape. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tape
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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