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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• face masks
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of face mask

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

face mask

On Aug. 12 around 5:30 a.m., a man in a disturbing white face mask chased a 40-year-old woman in the downtown area of Philadelphia across from City Hall, according to the city’s Police Department.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

The group of departees includes Bucknor, who has been sidelined since he was struck in the face mask by a foul ball on April 1.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

"I'm wearing a face mask, but not many people are."

From BBC ● May 19, 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

“That’s a ton of chemicals. Don’t breathe any of it in,” Sheryl reminds us, pulling on her face mask.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

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