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

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

They brought duct and masking tape and filled cardboard boxes with the rest of Merritt’s belongings.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

After five or 10 minutes they left the room and used masking tape to tape up around the door and seal the room.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2023

Butcher marked the individual accent shingles on the addition himself, with blue and green masking tape, from the steps of a ladder held by Harris.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 2023

Lillian asked while cutting some masking tape from a box.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy