tab

¹ American  

[tab] / tæb /

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.

idioms

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

   The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.

tab ² American  

[tab] / tæb /

noun

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

2. Informal.  tabloid.

---

tab. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. tables.

2. (in prescriptions) tablet.

---

tab ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

abbreviation

1. typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)

2. Totalizator Agency Board

---

tab ³ British  

/ tæb /

noun

1. short for tabulator tablet

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

---

tab. ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. table (list or chart)

---

tab More Idioms  

1. see keep tabs on.

---

Etymology

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 tab.³

From the Latin word tabella

Example Sentences

When the county inspector showed up Tuesday afternoon and told Koerner he was clear to move in, Koerner activated the video tab on his phone and asked the inspector to repeat what he’d just said.

From Los Angeles Times

The location data is visible in a new "about this account" tab which appears on every profile.

From BBC

To use your bar analogy: Japan has the receipt — they picked up the tab.

From MarketWatch

Am I a jerk for not wanting to pick up the tab?

From MarketWatch

Oracle is also projected to run up a big tab with its future data-center landlords.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• price tag