tape recorder

American  

noun

1. an electrical device for recording or playing back sound, video, or data on magnetic tape.

---

tape recorder British  

noun

1. an electrical device used for recording sounds on magnetic tape and usually also for reproducing them, consisting of a tape deck and one or more amplifiers and loudspeakers

---

Etymology

Origin of tape recorder

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tape recorder

In June 1981, before becoming president, he survived a bombing claimed by the Mujahedin-e Khalq group, when an explosive device concealed in a tape recorder detonated during a speech.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

Khamenei survived an assassination attempt in 1981, when explosives hidden in a tape recorder injured him and deprived him for life of the use of his right arm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

“Kissinger” teases viewers with an animated credit sequence prominently featuring a tape recorder.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2025

"We managed to con an afternoon with this new studio in King Street – it was a guy with a mixer and tape recorder."

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2025

The tape recorder is still talking, like a third person trying to keep the conversation alive.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• cassette recorder