tab

[ tab ]

/ tæb /

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See synonyms for tab on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a tag or label.

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

Informal.

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.
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.

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

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

Also called tabulator, tab key . 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.

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.

Digital Technology.

(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.
the display of this user interface element:I have too many tabs open in my browser right now.

Theater.

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

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

verb (used with object), tabbed, tab·bing.

to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.

to name or designate.

verb (used without object), tabbed, tab·bing.

to operate the tab function on a typewriter or computer.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about tab

keep tabs / tab on, Informal. to keep an account of; check on; observe: The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.

Origin of tab

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

Other definitions for tab (2 of 3)

tab²

[ tab ]

/ tæb /

noun

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

Informal. tabloid (def. 1).

Origin of tab

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Other definitions for tab (3 of 3)

tab.

abbreviation

tables.

(in prescriptions) tablet.

Origin of tab.

From the Latin word tabella

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tab in a sentence

That victory for the tab became a bargaining chip in all future dealings with the superstar.
I Warned You About Bill Cosby in 2007|Mark Ebner|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Runaway corporations benefited from those policies but want U.S. companies to pay their share of the tab.
The Democrats Have Found a New Boogeyman, and It’s Burger King|Tim Mak|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They started the tab; as a country, we have simply, and certainly, continued it.
Life, Liberty, and the Founding Fathers’ Pursuit of Hoppiness|Kevin Bleyer|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Place your order and you are given a little tab of paper with the price marked on it.
Charlottesville Is Swimming in Finger Lickin’ Gas Station Fried Chicken|Jane & Michael Stern|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Critics run that tab as high as $4 billion, calculating the lost tax revenues over 40 years.
Are Athletes Using Your Tax Dollars to Juice?|Stuart Stevens|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had his key ready in his hand, terra cotta-hued tab swinging loose.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Short hard radiation emitted from the tab neutralized the claws, put them out of commission.
Second Variety|Philip Kindred Dick
Radiation tabs protected the UN troops, but if a man lost his tab he was fair game for the claws, no matter what his uniform.
Second Variety|Philip Kindred Dick
In two little hours we came to Antab (An-tab), having crossed the Sejour at a bridge about three quarters of an hour before.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.
It was a sedan with a neat little drive-yourself tab on the right-hand door.
Cue for Quiet|Thomas L. Sherred

British Dictionary definitions for tab (1 of 4)

tab¹

/ (tæb) /

noun

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

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

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

British military the insignia on the collar of a staff officer

mainly US and Canadian a bill, esp one for a meal or drinks

Scot and Northern English dialect a cigarette

keep tabs on informal to keep a watchful eye on

verb tabs, tabbing or tabbed

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

Word Origin for tab

C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for tab (2 of 4)

tab²

/ (tæb) /

noun

short for tabulator, tablet

slang a portion of a drug, esp LSD or ecstasy

British Dictionary definitions for tab (3 of 4)

TAB

abbreviation for

typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)

Australian and NZ Totalizator Agency Board

British Dictionary definitions for tab (4 of 4)

tab.

abbreviation for

table (list or chart)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with tab

tab

see keep tabs on.

tab

Idioms about tab

Origin of tab

Other definitions for tab (2 of 3)

Origin of tab

Other definitions for tab (3 of 3)

Origin of tab.

Words related to tab

How to use tab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tab (1 of 4)

Word Origin for tab

British Dictionary definitions for tab (2 of 4)

British Dictionary definitions for tab (3 of 4)

British Dictionary definitions for tab (4 of 4)

Other Idioms and Phrases with tab