magnetic tape


noun

a ribbon of material, usually with a plastic base, coated on one side (single tape) or both sides (double tape) with a substance containing iron oxide, to make it sensitive to impulses from an electromagnet: used to record sound, images, data, etc.
Also called electromagnetic tape, tape.

Origin of magnetic tape

First recorded in 1935–40

Definition for electromagnetic tape (2 of 2)

electromagnetic tape

noun

British Dictionary definitions for electromagnetic tape

magnetic tape

noun

a long narrow plastic or metal strip coated or impregnated with a ferromagnetic material such as iron oxide, used to record sound or video signals or to store information in computers Sometimes (informal) shortened to: mag tape

Scientific definitions for electromagnetic tape

magnetic tape

A plastic tape coated with iron oxide for use in magnetic recording.

Cultural definitions for electromagnetic tape

magnetic tape

A device for storing information, in which signals are recorded by lining up small bits of magnetic materials in the coating on the tape. Ordinary tape recorders use magnetic tape.