playback head

noun

1. the part of a tape recorder that is used to pick up the magnetic pattern on tape in order to play back material previously recorded.

Word History and Origins

Origin of playback head¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The only moving part at the point of signal retrieval is the tape, which travels in a straight line across a stationary playback head.

From The Verge

While the system appears to function like a modern-day website, with pictures loading when they are clicked on, the playback head is constantly jumping between 50,000 video stills.

From BBC

Her violin bow has prerecorded tape where the hairs should be, and is drawn across a tape playback head on the instrument's bridge, enabling the violin to "speak."

From Time Magazine Archive