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
Words nearby magnetic tape
British Dictionary definitions for magnetic 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 magnetic tape
magnetic tape
A plastic tape coated with iron oxide for use in magnetic recording.
Cultural definitions for magnetic 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.