magnetic tape

noun

: a thin ribbon (as of plastic) coated with a magnetic material on which information (such as sound or television images) may be stored

Examples of magnetic tape in a Sentence

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.
Backup customers may want to consider other options, such as magnetic tape. — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2026 That's a huge improvement over existing magnetic tape and hard drives used for archiving data, which are good for only up to a decade at the most. — New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026 The power of the human voice, even transcribed imperfectly onto magnetic tape and played over a tinny speaker, was life-changing. — Adam Verner september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 For example, most digital archives are currently saved on magnetic tape, which only lasts about 30 years. — IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for magnetic tape

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of magnetic tape was in 1937

Rhymes for magnetic tape

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Browse Nearby Words

magnetic susceptibility
magnetic tape
magnetic tape recorder
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Cite this Entry

“Magnetic tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetic%20tape. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

magnetic tape

noun
: a thin ribbon (as of plastic) coated with a magnetic material on which information (as sound or television images) may be stored

More from Merriam-Webster on magnetic tape

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about magnetic tape

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