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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Inside was a 12-inch magnetic tape containing data about new protein structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank. Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2024 For the next two decades radio astronomers kept gradually improving their view of Sagittarius A*, but they were limited by a lack of suitable telescopes, relatively clunky technology (think reel-to-reel magnetic tape) and the inherent difficulty of looking into the crowded galactic center. Seth Fletcher, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022 So, when Brush looked to others to produce its recording medium, 3M was well positioned to help out due to magnetic tape’s similarity with its Scotch Tape. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Apr. 2024 As mentioned, magnetic tape storage has a scaling problem. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near magnetic tape

Cite this Entry

“Magnetic tape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetic%20tape. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!