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

Etymology

Origin of face mask

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Example Sentences

In another recording shared by OVP, a woman wearing dark glasses and a face mask addresses Rodríguez directly and demands that the minister of prisons and Injuba's director resign.

From BBC • May 25, 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

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

I put my gloved hands into the brown Jik, scooped up some of the liquid, and poured it over my head and face mask.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston