tape measure

[ teyp mezh-er ]

noun

1. Also called tape·line [teyp, -lahyn]. a long, flexible strip or ribbon, as of cloth or metal, marked with subdivisions of the foot or meter and used for measuring.

adjective

1. Also tape-meas·ure. Baseball. (of a hit) having traveled so remarkably far that the distance, usually only estimated, is worth noting:

   This kid’s got so much power, even his foul balls are tape-measure shots.

tape measure

noun

1. a tape or length of metal marked off in inches, centimetres, etc, used principally for measuring and fitting garments Also called (esp US)tapeline

Word History and Origins

Origin of tape measure¹

First recorded in 1835–45 tape measure fordef 1, and in 1950–55 tape measure fordef 2

Example Sentences

In the moral world—so far as it is a world of great achievement—the tape-measure is out of place.

From Project Gutenberg

A tape measure furnished certain distances which were recorded upon the back of an envelope.

From Project Gutenberg

In the computation of avoirdupois and of the tape-measure, this was the greatest figure that ever travelled the Great North Road.

From Project Gutenberg

We have been putting our tape-measure about it, and find it forty-three inches in girth; and for shapely beauty it has no equal.

From Project Gutenberg

Already he had out his tape-measure and sketch-book, making observations and recording measurements.

From Project Gutenberg