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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Tape Meaning, Uses, and Examples (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：sticky strip for attaching (tape)

tape 🔊

/teɪp/

n., v.

A long, narrow strip of sticky material that you use to stick things together.

Hand tearing clear sticky tape from silver dispenser close-up

sticky strip for attaching 🔊

➕

/ˈstɪki strɪp fɔːr əˈtætʃɪŋ/

n., v.

A long, narrow piece of material with adhesive on one side, used to join or seal objects.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'tapēs' (carpet) → Latin 'tape' (cloth strip) → modern meanings.

💡 Mnemonic

Tape ties things together – just like the word ties its meanings of sticking and recording.

📖 Example

The wrapping paper tore, so I used some tape to fix it before giving the gift. 🔊 The wrapping paper tore, so I used some tape to fix it before giving the gift.

🔗 Collocations

adhesive tape – tape with glue on one side

tape dispenser – device that holds and cuts tape

tape measure – flexible ruler for measuring length

🔄 Synonyms

adhesive strip (n.) – a strip of sticky material

sticky tape (n.) – common term for adhesive tape

sellotape (n.) – brand name for clear adhesive tape (UK)

🌱 Derivatives

tapeless (adj.) – without tape

tapelike (adj.) – resembling tape

taping (n.) – the act of applying tape

📖 Cultural Story

Old English 'tæppe' meant narrow strip. Sticky tape invented in 1925 by 3M's Richard Drew. 'Red tape' (bureaucracy) comes from 16th-century red ribbon on official documents.

Meaning 2：magnetic recording strip (tape)

tape 🔊

/teɪp/

n., v.

A long, narrow strip of material in a plastic case, used in the past to record and play sound or video.

Vintage cassette tape on wooden table with headphones

magnetic recording strip 🔊

➕

/mæɡˈnetɪk rɪˈkɔːrdɪŋ strɪp/

n., v.

A thin strip of magnetic material enclosed in a plastic case, used historically to record and play audio or video.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My grandfather still listens to his favorite songs from the 80s on an old cassette tape. 🔊 My grandfather still listens to his favorite songs from the 80s on an old cassette tape.

🔗 Collocations

cassette tape – a tape enclosed in a plastic case for audio recordings

tape recorder – device used to play and record magnetic tapes

magnetic tape – tape coated with magnetic material for data storage

🔄 Synonyms

cassette (n.) – a small plastic case containing magnetic tape

recording tape (n.) – tape used for recording audio or video

audio tape (n.) – tape specifically for sound recording

🚫 Antonyms

digital file (n.) – electronic data storage without physical tape

streaming (n.) – real-time audio/video delivered over internet

🌱 Derivatives

tape deck (n.) – component for playing tapes

tapeless (adj.) – not using physical tape (e.g., digital recording)

Meaning 3：record (audio/video) (tape)

tape 🔊

/teɪp/

n., v.

To record sounds or pictures using a special machine or device.

Smartphone screen showing red record button being pressed

record (audio/video) 🔊

➕

/rɪˈkɔːrd/

n., v.

To capture sound or images onto a tape, digital file, or other storage medium using a recording device.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I will tape the live concert on my TV so I can watch it later when I'm free. 🔊 I will tape the live concert on my TV so I can watch it later when I'm free.

🔗 Collocations

tape a show – record a television program

tape a conversation – record a spoken exchange

tape a video – capture video footage

🔄 Synonyms

record (v.) – to capture audio or video for later playback

capture (v.) – to record images or sounds

film (v.) – to record moving images

🚫 Antonyms

delete (v.) – to remove recorded data

erase (v.) – to eliminate recorded content

🌱 Derivatives

taped (v. (past)) – recorded using tape or a device

taping (n./v.) – the act of recording

taper (n.) – person who tapes recordings