taps

American  

[taps] / tæps /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a signal by bugle or drum, sounded at night as an order to extinguish all lights, and sometimes performed as a postlude to a military funeral.

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taps British  

/ tæps /

noun

1. 1. (in army camps, etc) a signal given on a bugle, drum, etc, indicating that lights are to be put out

   2. any similar signal, as at a military funeral

2. (in the Guide movement) a closing song sung at an evening camp fire or at the end of a meeting

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Etymology

Origin of taps

1815–25, probably tap(too) , variant of tattoo ¹ + -s ³

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

taps

In an era when anyone can watch just about anything with a few clicks of a trackpad or taps of a finger, moviegoing has become more intentional than ever, especially with rising ticket prices.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

"Not a single drop has come through our taps for the last three months... Our water supply had been reliable until the data centres came," Dewi Susanti, one of the protesters, told the BBC.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

It also taps into nostalgia for the toy cars, which originated after English engineer Jack Odell designed the first model to comply with a 1952 British school rule requiring toys to fit inside a matchbox.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

It taps into humanity’s most ancient, addictive comedic truth, which is that some dude getting hit in the balls is hilarious.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

Mr. Tobin taps his fingers on his desk.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

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