tapped; tapping
1
: to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
2
: to give a light blow with
tap a pencil on the table
3
: to bring about by repeated light blows
tap out a story on the typewriter
4
: to repair by putting a tap on
1
a
: a light usually audible blow
also
: its sound
b
: one of several usually rapid drumbeats on a snare drum
2
: a small metal plate for the sole or heel of a shoe
4
5
1
2
a
: a liquor drawn through a tap
b
: the procedure of removing fluid (as from a body cavity)
3
: wiretap
4
: a tool for forming an internal screw thread
5
: an intermediate point in an electric circuit where a connection may be made
tapped; tapping
1
: to let out or cause to flow by piercing or by drawing a plug from the containing vessel
tap wine from a cask
2
a
: to pierce so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap maple trees
b
: to draw out, from, or upon
tap new sources of revenue
the story taps powerful emotions
3
: to cut in on (something, such as a telephone or radio signal) to get information
4
: to form an internal screw thread in by means of a tap
5
: to get money from as a loan or gift
6
: to connect (a street gas or water main) with a local supply
Phrases
on tap
1
: ready to be drawn from a large container (such as a cask or keg)
ale on tap
2
: broached or furnished with a tap
3
: on hand : available
services instantly on tap—
Hugh Dwan
Hugh Dwan4
: coming up
other matches on tap—H. W. Wind
H. W. Wind
: to make a strong or advantageous connection with
trying to tap into a new market
Synonyms
Examples of tap in a Sentence
Verb (1)
tapped her foot in time to the music
kept tapping the desk with his pencil
Noun (2)
turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water
Verb (2)
the oil company tapped that first well completely dry
Recent Examples on the WebPeter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Some modern vehicles already tap into similar speed limit databases in order to project digital representations of speed limits on a driver’s dashboard.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 23 May 2024
Concurrently the state would tap a special education reserve fund for $8.5 billion shore up the state budget.
—Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 21 May 2024
The company is tapping an opportunity to profit by focusing on Americans' desire to slim down.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 21 May 2024
Through the lens of cognitive diversity, there’s a real opportunity to tap into the unique differences that allow individuals to think, learn, communicate, and socialize differently.
—Karyn Twaronite, Fortune, 20 May 2024
When Pinole made news last month for being the first East Bay city to ban new gas stations, the small community of 18,000 was tapping into a trend that has been spreading through the Bay Area for the last three years.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
That program was recently expanded to adult learners who live in Mesa to tap into the scholarship funding.
—Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2024
If not this man through the windows, then God, or my parents, or my real parents, who are actually just my parents, or the real me, who has been waiting for the right moment to take over, tap me out.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
Maya Polton, Parents, 11 May 2024
The optional 10% cash tip has morphed into a not-so-discretionary 12.5% service charge, added automatically to the bill and paid with the tap of a card or phone.
—Anthony Palazzo, Fortune Europe, 10 May 2024
The slightest tap of the rod tip will make a hovering jerkbait glint, turn, or shimmy without advancing it too far forward.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024
Denver Design Incubator, new pieces from Factory Fashion at the Stanley Marketplace, and more are on tap as well.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 9 May 2024
Also at Syfy, season two of The Ark is on tap for summer, and the third season of Surreal Estate is set for 2025.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 May 2024
Some beers on tap, including the B.A. Brew from Falls City Brewing, are available as well as bottles and cans and a small selection of wine and nonalcoholic cocktails.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2024
Trending on Billboard When Hudson asked what was on tap this year, McEntire said her team of fashion experts have picked out some pieces that are unlike anything she’s ever worn before.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 May 2024
Verb
The result, a small batch of Pete’s Wicked Pale, will be tapped at 6 p.m. Friday, June 7.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024
Some modern vehicles already tap into similar speed limit databases in order to project digital representations of speed limits on a driver’s dashboard.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 23 May 2024
Concurrently the state would tap a special education reserve fund for $8.5 billion shore up the state budget.
—Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 21 May 2024
The company is tapping an opportunity to profit by focusing on Americans' desire to slim down.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 21 May 2024
Through the lens of cognitive diversity, there’s a real opportunity to tap into the unique differences that allow individuals to think, learn, communicate, and socialize differently.
—Karyn Twaronite, Fortune, 20 May 2024
When Pinole made news last month for being the first East Bay city to ban new gas stations, the small community of 18,000 was tapping into a trend that has been spreading through the Bay Area for the last three years.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
That program was recently expanded to adult learners who live in Mesa to tap into the scholarship funding.
—Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2024
If not this man through the windows, then God, or my parents, or my real parents, who are actually just my parents, or the real me, who has been waiting for the right moment to take over, tap me out.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024
Noun
This baby activity table features zero buttons and requires a simple touch or tap of the finger to play the piano and test different instruments, with hundreds of melodies and sounds.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 11 May 2024
The optional 10% cash tip has morphed into a not-so-discretionary 12.5% service charge, added automatically to the bill and paid with the tap of a card or phone.
—Anthony Palazzo, Fortune Europe, 10 May 2024
The slightest tap of the rod tip will make a hovering jerkbait glint, turn, or shimmy without advancing it too far forward.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024
Denver Design Incubator, new pieces from Factory Fashion at the Stanley Marketplace, and more are on tap as well.
—Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 9 May 2024
Also at Syfy, season two of The Ark is on tap for summer, and the third season of Surreal Estate is set for 2025.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024
Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 May 2024
Some beers on tap, including the B.A. Brew from Falls City Brewing, are available as well as bottles and cans and a small selection of wine and nonalcoholic cocktails.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2024
Trending on Billboard When Hudson asked what was on tap this year, McEntire said her team of fashion experts have picked out some pieces that are unlike anything she’s ever worn before.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tap
Cite this Entry
“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tap
2 of 4 verb
tapped; tapping
1
: to release or cause to flow by making a hole or by drawing a plug from a container or cavity
tap wine from a cask
2
a
: to make a hole in so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap maple trees
b
: to draw from or upon
tap the nation's resources
tapper
noun
tap
3 of 4 verb
tapped; tapping
: to strike or cause to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
tap on a window
tap one's foot
tapper
noun
tap
4 of 4 noun1
: a light blow or its sound
2
: a small metal plate for the sole or heel of a shoe (as for tap dancing)
Etymology
Noun
Old English tæppa "a plug for a hole (as in a wine cask)"
Verb
Middle English tappen "to strike lightly, tap," from early French taper "to strike with the side of the hand"; of Germanic origin
Medical Definition
tap
1 of 4 noun
: the procedure of removing fluid (as from a body cavity) see lumbar puncture
tap
2 of 4 transitive verb
tapped; tapping
: to pierce so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap the spine for a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid
tap
3 of 4 transitive verb
tapped; tapping
: to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
tap
4 of 4 noun
: a light usually audible blow
also
: its sound
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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