# cassette

/kəˈsɛt/ (US) · /kɐsˈɛt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cassette
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. audio/video tape

noun · CEFR B2

a small plastic case with magnetic tape inside, used for playing or recording music and videos.

For teachers: a flat, rectangular plastic cartridge containing magnetic tape on two internal reels, used for analogue audio or video recording and playback.

- I found an old cassette of my favourite band in the attic, but I don't have a player anymore.
- Before the digital revolution, the compact cassette was the primary medium for home recording and portable music consumption.

Usage: Often used with 'tape' as in 'cassette tape'.

### 2. photography

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a lightproof container used to hold photographic film.

For teachers: a light-tight container designed to hold and protect photographic film or plates before and after exposure.

- The photographer carefully loaded the film cassette into the camera in the dark.
- In traditional radiography, the technician must ensure the X-ray cassette is properly aligned with the patient to avoid image distortion.

### 3. bicycle gears

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the set of gears on the back wheel of a bicycle.

For teachers: the cluster of sprockets mounted onto the freehub of a bicycle's rear wheel.

- He had to clean the cassette on his bike because it was covered in mud.
- The mechanic recommended replacing the cassette and the chain simultaneously to ensure smooth shifting under heavy load.

### 4. to record

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to record sound or video onto a cassette tape.

For teachers: to record audio or video content onto a magnetic tape cartridge.

- In the 1980s, people would often cassette songs from the radio.
- The interview was cassetted for archival purposes, though the quality of the magnetic medium has degraded significantly over the decades.

## Examples

- I found an old cassette in my drawer.
- She bought a vintage cassette player to listen to her mixtapes.
- The resurgence of cassette sales among younger listeners highlights a nostalgic desire for tangible, physical media in an increasingly digital world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.