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Synonyms

tape deck

American  

noun

  1. a component of an audio system for playing tapes, using an external amplifier and speakers.


tape deck British  

noun

  1. a tape recording unit in a hi-fi system

  2. the platform supporting the spools, cassettes, or cartridges of a tape recorder, incorporating the motor or motors that drive them and the playback, recording, and erasing heads

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tape deck

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before that, he put a tape deck on a rolling cart.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

However, not everyone was blown away, with the Hollywood Reporter saying it's "a disappointing farewell", and Mashable saying the series risked going out with the "fizzled whimper of a message self-destructing in a tape deck".

From BBC • May 25, 2025

Ellie, while not understanding airplanes, cars or seat belts, somehow figures out a cassette tape deck and pushes play.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2023

He experimented with his father’s reel-to-reel tape deck to master skills like overdubbing.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2022

The background music came from a tape deck near the circle of candles, but the high voice was Mary Anne’s.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien