Dictionary.com

tab

1
[ tab ]
/ tæb /
See synonyms for: tab / tabbed / tabbing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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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Idioms for 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

1
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

Definition for tab (2 of 3)

tab2
[ tab ]
/ tæb /

noun

Informal. tabloid (def. 1).
Slang. a tablet, as of a drug or medication.

Origin of tab

2
By shortening

Definition for tab (3 of 3)

tab.

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. 2021

Words related to tab

price tag, flap, clip, stop, flag, tag, slip, strip, logo, holder, loop, bookmark, sticker, marker, account, cost, invoice, price, rate, charge

British Dictionary definitions for tab (1 of 4)

tab1
/ (tæb) /

noun

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

Idioms and Phrases with tab

tab

see keep tabs on.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.