plural masks
1
a(1)
: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
(2)
: a person wearing a mask : masker
b(1)
: a figure of a head worn on the stage in antiquity to identify the character and project the voice
(2)
: a grotesque false face worn at carnivals or in rituals
c
: an often grotesque carved head or face used as an ornament (as on a keystone)
d
: a sculptured face or a copy of a face made by means of a mold
2
a
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
The hockey puck struck the goalie's mask.
a snorkel mask
see also ski mask
b(1)
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
(2)
: a comparable device or a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
c
or less commonly masque
: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries
3
b
: something that conceals from view
c
: a translucent or opaque screen to cover part of the sensitive surface in taking or printing a photograph
d
: a pattern of opaque material used to shield selected areas of a surface (as of a semiconductor) in deposition or etching (as in producing an integrated circuit) see also photomask
4
a
: the head or face of an animal (such as a fox or dog)
b
: an area (such as the one around the eyes) of an animal's face that is distinguished by usually darker coloring
masked; masking; masks
1
: to provide or conceal (someone or something) with a mask: such as
a
: to conceal (something) from view
mask a gun battery
The entrance was masked by shrubs and flowers.
b
: to make (something) indistinct or imperceptible
masks undesirable flavors
mask the smell with a scented candle
[Dr. Joseph] Murray cautioned that people who go gluten-free to ease stomach problems may end up masking the symptoms of underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease, an immune disorder that affects the digestive tract.—
Kiera Butler
Kiera Butler
c
: to hide or conceal (something, such as one's motives or feelings)
The excuse masked his real purpose.
… a practiced yet futile attempt to mask embarrassment or anger with a smile …—David Remnick
David Remnick2
: to cover (the face or part of the face) with or as if with a mask
The low hood masked her eyes.
The leader masked his face with a scarf, her mother says, but she recognized the raspy voice of their neighbor …—National Geographic
National Geographic3
: to cover (something) for protection
Painters frequently use tape to mask … adjacent surfaces such as walls or trim.—Gwen Bruno
Gwen Bruno4
: to modify the size or shape of (something, such as a photograph) by means of an opaque border
1
a
: to put on a mask : to cover the face with a mask
As workplaces reopen, employees must mask and wash hands frequently.—Robert A. Weinstein and Cory Franklin
—often used with upRobert A. Weinstein and Cory FranklinOn a recent weekend, we masked up and went for a bicycle ride in Tokyo.—Motoko Rich and Noriko Hayashi
Motoko Rich and Noriko Hayashi
b
: to disguise one's true character or intentions
2
: to take part in a masquerade
Synonyms
Examples of mask in a Sentence
Noun
Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance.
Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room.
Verb
The house was masked by trees.
They tried to mask their real purpose.
She tried using perfume to mask the bad odor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jen Juneau, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This eye mask is made from memory foam that moulds to your shape and has a smooth ice silk lining for a cooling feel.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
This federal support, alongside the strong U.S. economy, boosted state finances and masked many long-simmering fiscal issues.
—Carlos Waters, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mask 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Also toward the film’s climax, the Wizard’s mechanical mask may be considered frightening — before, as in The Wizard of Oz, a harmless man (Jeff Goldblum) emerges from behind its curtain.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
This eye mask is made from memory foam that moulds to your shape and has a smooth ice silk lining for a cooling feel.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
That masked citizens in a majority-Black city could be seen as threats underscored for many that anonymity may be worth protecting.
—Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2024
This federal support, alongside the strong U.S. economy, boosted state finances and masked many long-simmering fiscal issues.
—Carlos Waters, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mask
Articles Related to mask
Dictionary Entries Near mask
Cite this Entry
“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mask
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
a Halloween mask
b
: masker
c
: a sculptured face made by a mold in plaster or wax
2
: something that disguises or conceals : cloak
3
a
: a covering used to protect the face
a baseball catcher's mask
b
: gas mask
c
: a device covering the nose and mouth to make it easier to inhale something
an oxygen mask
d
: a similar device or covering (as of synthetic fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (as viruses)
4
: the head or face of a mammal (as a fox or dog)
5
Medical Definition
mask
1 of 2 noun1
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
2
a
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
b
: a comparable device or covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) worn to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
3
: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries
mask
2 of 2 transitive verb1
: to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions
to mask hydroxyl in a sugar by converting it into methoxyl
2
: to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)
3
: to make indistinct or imperceptible
flavorings used in pharmacy to mask the taste of medications
4
: to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) by the simultaneous presentation of another sound
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