nab

¹

[nab]

verb (used with object)

Informal.

nabbed, nabbing 

1. to arrest or capture.

2. to catch or seize, especially suddenly.

3. to snatch or steal.

NAB

²

1. Also N.A.B. National Association of Broadcasters.

2. New American Bible.

nab

/ næb /

verb

1. to arrest

2. to catch (someone) in wrongdoing

3. to seize suddenly; snatch

Other Word Forms

• nabber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nab¹

1675–85; earlier nap; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish nappe, Norwegian, Swedish nappa to snatch

Word History and Origins

Origin of nab¹

C17: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Danish nappe, Swedish nappa to snatch. See _kidnap

Example Sentences

In late December, Gregory Bovino, who heads the Border Patrol’s El Centro region, led a three-day raid in rural Kern County, nabbing day laborers more than 300 miles from his typical territory.

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Wembanyama had 40 points on 15 of 21 shooting, nabbed 15 rebounds, blocked three shots, had zero turnovers, and got one assist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Weibel hoped to beat the odds and nab a Sonny Angel wearing a cap in the shape of one of the animals he might see at the Austin Zoo.

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Currently 60% of the bank’s employees globally are active on the platform, nabbing gigs they can spend up to eight hours on within their regular workweek.

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The nominees for the 26th annual Latin Grammy Awards were announced Wednesday morning, with Bad Bunny nabbing the most nominations in 2025.

Read more on Los Angeles Times