Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

face mask

American  
Or facemask

noun

face masks plural
  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.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of face mask

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

An advert for Beauty Pie's LED face mask has been banned for making misleading anti-wrinkle claims.

From BBC Jun. 9, 2026

His previous creations have included a smartwatch and a high-tech face mask launched during the pandemic and tricked out with Bluetooth, LED lights and a magnetic earbud docking system.

From The Wall Street Journal May 18, 2026

Alvarez-Gonzalez also allegedly was dressed like a Border Patrol agent, including wearing a face mask and “thin green line” baseball cap, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 29, 2026

Kim, who appeared in court wearing a white face mask, kept her head lowered as the verdict was announced.

From Barron's Apr. 28, 2026

With her bee-free hand, Priscilla swept off the mesh face mask.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training