masking tape

American  

noun

• masking tapes
  plural

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.

---

masking tape British  

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• masking tapes
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of masking tape

First recorded in 1935–40

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

masking tape

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

After losing three of his projected five starters in the season’s first two months, manager Dave Roberts has had to use everything short of masking tape to keep a rotation together.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2025

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

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

I lie to Heather about the masking tape and say I put it back in the supply box.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---