tab

¹

[tab]

noun

1. a small flap, strap, loop, or similar appendage, as on a garment, used for pulling, hanging, or decoration.

2. a tag or label.

3. a small projection from a card, paper, or folder, used as an aid in filing.

4. Informal.

   1. a bill, as for a meal in a restaurant; check.

      That dinner went way over my budget, so I was relieved when she offered to pick up the tab.

   2. a list of accruing costs, as drinks ordered in a bar: .

      Go ahead and order another round of beers—we’ve got a running tab

5. a small piece attached or intended to be attached, as to an automobile license plate.

6. a small flap or tongue of material used to seal or close the opening of a container.

7. Also called tab key. Also called tabulator. a key on a typewriter that moves the carriage, typing element, etc., a predetermined number of spaces, used for typing text in columns, for fixed indentations, etc.

8. Also called tab key. a key on a computer keyboard that moves the cursor a predetermined number of spaces, used for keying text in columns or form fields, for fixed indentations, etc.

9. Digital Technology.

   1. (in a web browser window or in a spreadsheet or other application) a page displayed by clicking on or selecting a user interface element that resembles a paper tab.

      The third tab in the spreadsheet list expenses.

   2. the display of this user interface element.

      I have too many tabs open in my browser right now.

10. Theater.

    1. a small, often narrow, drop curtain, for masking part of the stage.

    2. tableau curtain.

11. Aeronautics.,  a small airfoil hinged to the rear portion of a control surface, as to an elevator, aileron, or rudder.

verb (used with object)

tabbed, tabbing 

1. to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.

2. to name or designate.

verb (used without object)

tabbed, tabbing 

1. to operate the tab function on a typewriter or computer.

tab

²

[tab]

noun

1. Slang.,  a tablet, as of a drug or medication.

2. Informal.,  tabloid.

tab.

³

abbreviation

1. tables.

2. (in prescriptions) tablet.

tab

¹

/ tæb /

noun

1. a small flap of material, esp one on a garment for decoration or for fastening to a button

2. any similar flap, such as a piece of paper attached to a file for identification

3. a small auxiliary aerofoil on the trailing edge of a rudder, aileron, or elevator, etc, to assist in the control of the aircraft in flight See also trim tab

4. military the insignia on the collar of a staff officer

5. a bill, esp one for a meal or drinks

6. dialect,  a cigarette

7. informal,  to keep a watchful eye on

verb

1. (tr) to supply (files, clothing, etc) with a tab or tabs

TAB

²

abbreviation

1. typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)

2. Totalizator Agency Board

tab

³

/ tæb /

noun

1. short for tabulator tablet

2. slang,  a portion of a drug, esp LSD or ecstasy

tab.

⁴

abbreviation

1. table (list or chart)

Word History and Origins

Origin of tab¹

First recorded in 1600–10; most senses of unknown origin; tab ¹ in def. 7 short for tabulator; tab ¹ in def. 10 short for tableau; tab ¹ in defs. 4, 15 short for table

Origin of tab²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Origin of tab³

From the Latin word tabella

Word History and Origins

Origin of tab¹

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep tabs / tab on, to keep an account of; check on; observe.

   The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.

see keep tabs on.

Example Sentences

See more: Always picking up the tab or lending money you don’t have?

Read more on MarketWatch

He hired a staff that included his sons as assistant coaches and tabbed longtime NFL executive Michael Lombardi to be the Tar Heels’ general manager.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A lot of companies stopped picking up the tab for country-club memberships and curbed “gross up” payments, which make perks even sweeter by covering the taxes that accompany them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He can press a tab on the touchscreen to make the tablet say “My name’s Elijah” if he’s feeling unsafe away from home, another to tell his family he needs space when upset.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That tab has been covered in full by the university, bringing the balance to zero, thanks in part to $30 million in direct institutional support in the most recent fiscal year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• price tag