vid·eo·tape ˈvi-dē-ō-ˌtāp 
: a recording of visual images and sound (as of a television production) made especially formerly on magnetic tape
also : the medium used for such a recording
videotaped; videotaping; videotapes
: to make a videotape of
videotape a show
Examples of videotape in a Sentence
Noun I watched the movie on videotape. watched a videotape of her daughter's first ballet recital Verb They videotaped the baby's first steps.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris McMullen, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Set in the ’90s, the game tasks players with such activities as stocking shelves, manning the checkout counter, and balancing the daily books; sometimes a videotape needs to be rewound, or a patron disputes a late fee. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Raasch remains in custody on 12 counts of videotaping an undressed person and three counts of eavesdropping. —James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for videotape
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Back in the 1960s, there wasn't a home video market, and videotape was expensive, so it was erased for reuse. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Set in the ’90s, the game tasks players with such activities as stocking shelves, manning the checkout counter, and balancing the daily books; sometimes a videotape needs to be rewound, or a patron disputes a late fee. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Gallagher was sitting on the beach as Littrell videotaped Gallagher with his phone and came within a few inches of his face. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Raasch remains in custody on 12 counts of videotaping an undressed person and three counts of eavesdropping. —James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for videotape
Cite this Entry
“Videotape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/videotape. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
videotape
1 of 2 noun
vid·eo·tape ˈvid-ē-ō-ˌtāp
: a recording of visual images and sound (as of a television production) made on magnetic tape
also : the magnetic tape used for such a recording
videotape
2 of 2 verb
: to make a videotape of
videotape a show
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
