face mask

or facemask

noun

1. Sports. the protective equipment, usually made of steel or plastic, that guards the face, as the steel cage worn by a baseball catcher or the molded plastic covering worn by a hockey goalkeeper.
2. any of various similar devices to shield the face, sometimes attached to or forming part of a helmet, as that worn by workers engaged in a hazardous activity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of face mask¹

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Example Sentences

So we headed toward a shoreline reef, slipped on face masks and tumbled into the water.

From Washington Post

“Given recent reports of SARS-CoV-2 variants, comprehensive compliance with face mask requirements remains a first-order measure to mitigate transmission, even as population vaccinations progress,” the report concluded.

From Washington Post

It is important to keep face masks clean so people who wear them do not accidentally infect themselves with the germs on the face masks.

From Popular-Science

Dressed in activewear and tracking his walk on a sports watch, Adams scoops up everything in sight, from plastic water bottles to food wrappers, beer cans and disposable face masks.

From Washington Post

Until there is a dramatic decline in fatality rates, however, face masks and social distancing will still be a part of everyone’s life, including those who are vaccinated.

From Vox

Shann drew up the hood of his jacket and snapped the transparent face mask into place.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl took the map in her gloved hands and peered intently through her face-mask.

From Project Gutenberg

It's in Nick's methods ter wear a black face-mask an' leave his victim helplessly gagged.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind the face-mask, her thin features were pale, ghostlike.

From Project Gutenberg

Porter wore a leather face-mask, with a lozenge-shaped breathing-hole, and slanted openings covered with yellow glass for eyes.

From Project Gutenberg