masking tape

American  

noun

1. an easily removed adhesive tape used temporarily for defining margins, protecting surfaces, etc., as when painting, and sometimes also for binding, sealing, or mending.

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masking tape British  

noun

1. an adhesive tape used to mask and protect surfaces surrounding an area to be painted

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Etymology

Origin of masking tape

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Many of the items now live in neat squares made out of masking tape on the shop floor.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

A yet-to-be-opened trading floor was a barren expanse with rows of wooden desks still covered in blue masking tape and empty computer stands awaiting monitors to be screwed onto them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

But so far, nothing has stopped the number on the masking tape from going up.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 12, 2024

He and other volunteers labeled migrants’ phones with masking tape and took turns plugging them into the 10-outlet power strip.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2023

Back when we shared a room, she was the one who'd divide up the floor with masking tape, building an invisible wall between us.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi