tape

TAYP/teɪ̯p/

Pluraltapes (some meanings)

14 meanings of tape

1
noununcountable
A sticky strip of plastic or paper that you use to stick things together.
She used tape to hang the poster on her wall.
Put some tape on the box so it stays closed.
2
noununcountable
A long, thin, flat strip of paper, plastic, or cloth, usually sold in a roll.
The police put yellow tape around the whole building.
The nurse measured the baby's head with a strip of paper tape.
Similarribbon, strip, band
Note
3
verbtransitive
To stick or fasten something with sticky tape.
Can you tape the sign to the door?
He taped the torn page back together.
Similarstick, seal, fasten, attach
4
noununcountable
A long strip of special plastic, kept on a roll, used for recording sound or video.
Old home movies were often stored on tape.
The band recorded their first songs on tape in a garage.
5
nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
A video or sound recording of any kind, even one made without real tape.
The coach watched the tape of last night's game.
Police released tape from the store's security camera.
Similarfootage, recording, video
Note
6
verbtransitive
To record sound or pictures so you can watch or listen later.
Did you tape the show last night?
She taped the whole concert on her phone.
Similarrecord, film
7
nouncountable or uncountable
A thin band across the finish line of a race that the winner breaks first.
The runner threw her arms up as she crossed the tape.
The cyclist hit the tape a wheel's length ahead of the pack.
Note
8
noununcountableabbreviationclipping
Short for red tape. Use it to talk about slow official rules and paperwork.
He was going to cut through the tape and ship this Army stuff straight to France.
1953, United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary, Hearings
Note
9
nounusually singular
The record of prices as a stock is bought and sold during the day.
Like a long receipt that shows every sale the moment it happens.
He watched the tape all morning as the price kept falling.
The tape showed heavy selling right after the news came out.
Similarticker
Note
10
noununcountable
The covering wrapped around the blade of a hockey stick, where it touches the puck.
Like the grip on a tennis racket, but wrapped around the part of the stick that hits the puck.
He put new tape on his stick before the game.
The pass landed right on her tape, and she scored.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from an Old English word "tæppa" or "tæppe," meaning ribbon or tape.