face mask

or facemask

noun

1. Sports. the protective equipment, usually made of steel or plastic, that guards the face, as the steel cage worn by a baseball catcher or the molded plastic covering worn by a hockey goalkeeper.
2. any of various similar devices to shield the face, sometimes attached to or forming part of a helmet, as that worn by workers engaged in a hazardous activity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of face mask¹

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Example Sentences

Working with a face mask is difficult and slows down his regular pace, Florentino said.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was wearing a surgical-style face mask - in compliance with store policy, with Welsh government legislation as well," Mr Daniels said.

From BBC

He was disguised behind a face mask and hat and had created a fake ID in which he had tanned his skin and wore a black wig with a false beard and moustache.

From BBC

He is no stranger to the British Photography Awards, having already won the best macro photograph category in 2022 by turning a face mask into a swimming pool for a Covid pandemic image.

From BBC

Dressed all in black with a black face mask and baseball cap concealing his identity, MacPhail followed Holly and her friends as they visited a leisure centre and shops for about 45 minutes.

From BBC