videotape
gb/vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/ us/vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/
B1
English
~ 6700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
record something on videotape
To use a video camera to make a recording of something on tape.
Usage pattern:
to videotape [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"video"* as a verb in all situations (e.g., *"He videoed the game"*). While this is increasingly common, *"videotape"* traditionally focuses on recording onto tape and is often used in more formal or older contexts. Another mistake is adding an extra preposition, such as *"videotape about the concert"* instead of simply *"videotape the concert"*.
Synonyms
record (More general; can refer to audio, video, or data, not only tape-based video.)
Antonyms
erase (Means to remove or wipe out a recording instead of making one.)
Collocations
videotape the show
|videotape the interview
|videotape the meeting
|be videotaped
|videotape session
Themes
technology
|media
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The police videotaped the entire search for legal reasons.
- Fans were not allowed to videotape the concert with their own cameras.
- She videotaped her grandparents talking about their childhood.
- The experiment was videotaped so other researchers could review it later.
- They decided to videotape the wedding ceremony as well as hire a photographer.
Learner examples
- My dad videotaped my first day at school.
- Please do not videotape the movie in the cinema.
- The teacher videotaped our class presentation.
- We videotaped the game and watched it later.
- The interview was videotaped for the news program.
Noun
B1
entity
2
video recording on tape
A movie or other video recording that is on tape in a cassette.
Usage pattern:
a videotape of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use *"videotape"* to talk about any kind of video file (for example, an online clip). In modern English, *"video"* is usually used for general recordings, and *"videotape"* is best kept for older tape-based recordings.
Synonyms
video (More general; can be digital or tape and is the common modern term, while "videotape" suggests the older tape format.)
Antonyms
live broadcast (Refers to content shown as it happens, with no pre‑recorded videotape.)
Collocations
a videotape of the wedding
|watch a videotape
|old videotapes
|training videotape
|home videotape
Themes
technology
|media
|history
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- They still have a videotape of their first family vacation.
- The company produced a short training videotape for new employees.
- We found an old videotape of a 1980s TV show in the attic.
- The documentary was originally released only on videotape.
- He watched a language course on videotape during his commute.
Learner examples
- My parents have a videotape of their wedding.
- We watched a cartoon on videotape.
- I found a videotape of an old football game.
- This videotape is about how to use the machine.
- The teacher showed us a science videotape in class.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
magnetic tape for video recording
The long, thin tape inside a video cassette that holds the picture and sound.
Usage pattern:
rewind / damage / clean the videotape
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the cassette and the tape, using *"videotape"* when they mean the plastic case. In technical use, *"videotape"* is the tape itself, and *"video cassette"* is the container.
Synonyms
video cassette (Refers mainly to the plastic case that holds the tape, while "videotape" is the actual tape, though in everyday speech the two are often used loosely.)
Antonyms
digital file (A non‑physical, computer‑based way to store video instead of on magnetic tape.)
Collocations
insert the videotape
|rewind the videotape
|damaged videotape
|videotape recorder
|videotape format
Themes
technology
|electronics
|media
Examples
- The videotape was so old that it snapped in the player.
- You should rewind the videotape before returning it to the store.
- Dust on the videotape can cause lines and glitches on the screen.
- Early home movies were often stored on half‑inch videotape.
- He transferred the footage from videotape to a digital format.
Learner examples
- The videotape inside the cassette is very thin.
- Please rewind the videotape before you take it out.
- The picture is bad because the videotape is dirty.
- Old videotape can break easily.
- We moved the movie from videotape to a computer file.
Grammar
Dictionary form
videotape
IPA
GB/vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/
US/vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/
Syllables & stress
video - tape (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (video)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: videotape
- Plural: videotape, videotapes
Verb
- Base: videotape
- 3rd Person Singular: videotapes
- Present Participle: videotaping
- Past: videotaped
Word family
Expressions
caught on videotape
1/kˈɔt ˈɔn vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/
fixed phrase
an event recorded on videotape
Recorded on videotape while it was happening, often as proof of what happened.
Examples
- The accident was caught on videotape by a nearby security camera.
- Several thefts were caught on videotape and led to quick arrests.
on videotape
1/ˈɔn vˈɪdioʊtˈeɪp/
fixed phrase
existing as a videotape recording
Recorded on videotape, not live.
Examples
- The entire conversation is on videotape, so we can play it back in court.
- Many of the old lectures are still available on videotape.