a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
"he used a piece of tape for a belt"
"he wrapped a tape around the package"
a recording made on magnetic tape
"the several recordings were combined on a master tape"
measuring instrument consisting of a narrow strip (cloth or metal) marked in inches or centimeters and used for measuring lengths
"the carpenter should have used his tape measure"
memory device consisting of a long thin plastic strip coated with iron oxide; used to record audio or video signals or to store computer information
"he took along a dozen tapes to record the interview"
Flexible material in a roll with a sticky surface on one or both sides; adhesive tape.
"She tore off a strip of clear tape to secure the broken hinge before painting the doorframe."
In plain English: A tape is a long strip of adhesive material used to stick things together or hold them in place.
"She used some clear tape to fix the broken button on her shirt."
To bind with adhesive tape.
"He quickly taped his broken arm to his chest after falling off the bike."
In plain English: To tape something means to stick it down using adhesive tape.
"She taped her broken wrist with athletic tape before returning to the game."
Usage: Use this verb when you physically secure objects together or seal openings using strips of adhesive material, such as wrapping electrical wires or fixing a broken box lid. It is often confused with the noun form in sentences like "I taped my leg," where the action must be explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity about whether an object was applied or removed.
The word tape comes from the Old English term tæppa, which originally meant a ribbon. Although its ultimate origin is uncertain, it likely shares roots with Germanic words describing actions like pulling or tearing.