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.

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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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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

It was later found to made up with rolled-up A4 paper, brown masking tape, and string.

From BBC ● Feb. 28, 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

The blast wave nevertheless tossed all of his stock into a jumble of shower handles and hoses, boxes of masking tape and home repair tools — all covered in fine, metallic-gray dust.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2024

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

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

Luma took down their names and ages, and with the help of the team manager, Tracy, wrote their names on strips of masking tape, which the women plastered across the backs of the boys’ T-shirts.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John