tap

[ tap ]

/ tæp /

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See synonyms for: tap / tapped / tapping / taps on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), tapped, tap·ping.

to strike with a light but audible blow or blows; hit with repeated, slight blows: He tapped the door twice.

to make, put, etc., by tapping: She tapped a nail into the wall to hang a picture.

to strike (the fingers, a foot, a pencil, etc.) upon or against something, especially with repeated light blows: Stop tapping your feet!

Basketball. to strike (a ball in the air) in the direction of a teammate or of the basket.

Digital Technology.

to make a selection or enter information on a touchscreen by tapping (a button, icon, or the like): To return to the previous page, tap the back arrow at the bottom of the screen.
to enter (data) by tapping on a keyboard: For a breathless instant her capable fingers tapped codes into the company server.

to recruit, appoint, or select for a particular role or task: After he’d cooked there for 20 years, the restaurant owner finally tapped him for chef.

to add a thickness of leather to the sole or heel of (a boot or shoe), as in repairing.

verb (used without object), tapped, tap·ping.

to strike lightly but audibly, as to attract attention (usually followed by on or against): The prisoners communicated by tapping on their cell walls.The teacher tapped on the blackboard to indicate that the time was up.

to strike light blows: The geologist stopped tapping with her hammer to examine a bit of rock under a magnifying glass.

to type or enter information on a keyboard: He tapped away at his computer without looking up.

to perform a tap dance.

noun

a light, sometimes audible blow: I felt a tap on my shoulder.

the sound made by this.

a piece of metal attached to the toe or heel of a shoe, as for reinforcement or for making the tapping of a dancer more audible.

Basketball. an act or instance of tapping the ball: Hanson got the tap from our center, who, 6′9″ tall, couldn't lose a jump ball.

a thickness of leather added to the sole or heel of a boot or shoe, as in repairing.

Verb Phrases

tap out,

(in wrestling, karate, or the like) to acknowledge defeat by tapping on the mat: Finally, trapped in the chokehold, he was forced to tap out for the first time in his career.
to concede or withdraw from an undertaking one feels unable to continue; quit: The owners have tapped out of the company after nearly 16 years, although they'll retain a minority interest.
to produce by means of a series of taps: She tapped out the drum rhythm on the table.The pilot tapped out a signal in Morse code.
to type or enter on a keyboard: He used to tap out his weekly column on an old Olivetti.
to remove by tapping: All air bubbles should be tapped out before clamping the end of the tube.

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Origin of tap

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb tappen, tap, probably imitative; noun derivative of the verb

OTHER WORDS FROM tap

tap·pa·ble, adjectiveun·tap·pa·ble, adjective

Words nearby tap

taonga, Taormina, Taos, Tao Te Ching, t'ao t'ieh, tap, tapa, tapadera, tapadero, Tapajós, tapas

Other definitions for tap (2 of 2)

tap²

[ tap ]

/ tæp /

noun

a cylindrical stick, long plug, or stopper for closing an opening through which liquid is drawn, as in a cask; spigot.

a faucet or cock.

the liquor drawn through a particular tap.

British. a taphouse or taproom.

a tool for cutting screw threads into the cylindrical surface of a round opening.

Surgery. the withdrawal of fluid: spinal tap.

a hole made in tapping, as one in a pipe to furnish connection for a branch pipe.

Electricity. a connection brought out of a winding at some point between its extremities, for controlling the voltage ratio.

Informal. an act or instance of wiretapping.

Archaic. a particular kind or quality of drink.

verb (used with object), tapped, tap·ping.

to draw liquid from (a vessel or container).

to draw off (liquid) by removing or opening a tap or by piercing a container.

to draw the tap or plug from or pierce (a cask or other container).

to penetrate, open up, reach into, etc., for the purpose of using something or drawing something off; begin to use: to tap one's resources.

to connect into secretly so as to receive the message or signal being transmitted (sometimes used with into): Authorities tapped his phone line, suspecting that he was a spy.Here’s how to tell if your neighbor is tapping into your cable service.

to obtain money or other resources from: Before attempting the project we tapped her for some quick tips on common mistakes to avoid.He finally decided to tap his father for a loan.

to furnish (a cask, container, pipe, etc.) with a tap.

to cut a screw thread into the surface of (an opening).

to open outlets from (power lines, highways, pipes, etc.).

Verb Phrases

tap into, Informal.

to draw on or bring into play: You can overcome many obstacles if you just tap into the strength and skills you already possess!
to access and make profitable use of: We are well placed to help clients tap into these emerging opportunities.

tap off, to remove (liquid, molten metal, etc.) from a keg, furnace, or the like: to tap off slag from a blast furnace.

tap out,

to exhaust or use up the supply of: If we overfish the oceans, we will tap out the resources our ancestors have relied on for thousands of years.
to drain or exhaust the resources of (usually used in the passive and often followed by of): When the recession hit, we were tapped out and deeply in debt.Sorry I can’t contribute much here—I’m all tapped out of ideas.

Origin of tap

First recorded before 1050; Middle English noun tap(pe), tape, Old English tæppa “tapered plug used as a stopper for a cask”; cognate with Dutch tap, Old High German zapfo, Old Norse tappi; Middle English verb tappen, Old English tæppian; cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch tappen, German zapfen, Old Norse tappa

OTHER WORDS FROM tap

tap·pa·ble, adjective

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

How to use tap in a sentence

The growth stems, in large part, from China’s lack of access to clean tap water.
A blockbuster IPO briefly made a bottled water entrepreneur China’s richest man|Grady McGregor|September 8, 2020|Fortune
Smith makes a saline solution with sparkling water instead of tap water—he prefers San Pellegrino for its crisp minerality.
Why you should be adding salt to your cocktails|By Céline Bossart/Saveur|September 4, 2020|Popular-Science
Heavy rain and strong winds are already on tap for Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands, according to meteorologists.
Tropical Storm Laura, not yet a hurricane, threatens coastal Texas and Louisiana|Andrew Nusca|August 24, 2020|Fortune
After having trouble cleaning the jar, he filled it with tap water and left it to soak.
Scientists stumbled across the first known manganese-fueled bacteria|Carolyn Beans|July 21, 2020|Science News

Leadbetter and Yu first identified about 70 bacterial species in the jar, which likely came from the tap water.
Scientists stumbled across the first known manganese-fueled bacteria|Carolyn Beans|July 21, 2020|Science News
Obama is widely believed to tap an ex-physicist who cuts military waste like a laser to become the next secretary of defense.
Ashton Carter, the Wonk Who Would Lead the Pentagon|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It should be noted that LA tap water, rather than NYC's famed brand, was chosen for the test.
The Bottled Water Taste Test|The Daily Beast Video|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cervecerías Barú resolved problems with their draft system that prohibited them from selling on tap for almost seven years.
House of the Witch: The Renegade Craft Brewers of Panama|Jeff Campagna|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ricky was very influenced by This Is Spinal Tap, and I was always a fan of Woody Allen movies.
Stephen Merchant Talks ‘Hello Ladies’ movie, the Nicole Kidman Cameo, and Legacy of ‘The Office’|Marlow Stern|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The NSA had already built the infrastructure to tap into communications networks.
How the NSA Became a Killing Machine|Shane Harris|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the time I had done my toilette there was a tap at the door, and in another minute I was in the salle--manger.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
"Come in," said a Cockney voice shrill with youth, in answer to her tap; and the child obeyed.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
While thus occupied, there came a soft tap to the outer door—as was sure to be the case, the clerk being absent—and Val opened it.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
Almost immediately there came a gentle tap at the door, and General Maxgregor entered.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Thus, the magnetic telegraph was expected for quite three hundred years before its first tap of the keys announced its presence.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward

British Dictionary definitions for tap (1 of 3)

tap¹

/ (tæp) /

verb taps, tapping or tapped

to strike (something) lightly and usually repeatedlyto tap the table; to tap on the table

(tr) to produce by striking in this wayto tap a rhythm

(tr) to strike lightly with (something)to tap one's finger on the desk

(intr) to walk with a tapping soundshe tapped across the floor

(tr) to attach metal or leather reinforcing pieces to (the toe or heel of a shoe)

noun

a light blow or knock, or the sound made by it

the metal piece attached to the toe or heel of a shoe used for tap-dancing

short for tap-dancingSee tap-dancing

phonetics the contact made between the tip of the tongue and the alveolar ridge as the tongue is flicked upwards in the execution of a flap or vibrates rapidly in the execution of a trill or roll

Derived forms of tap

tappable, adjective

Word Origin for tap

C13 tappen, probably from Old French taper, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Low German tappen to pluck, Swedish dialect täpa to tap

British Dictionary definitions for tap (2 of 3)

tap²

/ (tæp) /

noun

a valve by which a fluid flow from a pipe can be controlled by opening and closing an orificeUS and Canadian name: faucet

a stopper to plug a cask or barrel and enable the contents to be drawn out in a controlled flow

a particular quality of alcoholic drink, esp when contained in casksan excellent tap

British short for taproom

the surgical withdrawal of fluid from a bodily cavitya spinal tap

Also called: screw tap a tool for cutting female screw threads, consisting of a threaded steel cylinder with longitudinal grooves forming cutting edgesCompare die 2 (def. 2)

electronics, mainly US and Canadian a connection made at some point between the end terminals of an inductor, resistor, or some other componentUsual Brit name: tapping

stock exchange

an issue of a government security released slowly onto the market when its market price reaches a predetermined level
(as modifier)tap stock; tap issue

a concealed listening or recording device connected to a telephone or telegraph wire for the purpose of obtaining information secretly

on tap

informal ready for immediate use
(of drinks) on draught

verb taps, tapping or tapped (tr)

to furnish with a tap

to draw off with or as if with a tap

to cut into (a tree) and draw off sap from it

British informal to ask or beg (someone) for moneyhe tapped me for a fiver

to connect a tap to (a telephone or telegraph wire)
to listen in secret to (a telephone message, etc) by means of a tap

to make a connection to (a pipe, drain, etc)

to cut a female screw thread in (an object or material) by use of a tap

to withdraw (fluid) from (a bodily cavity)

informal (of a sports team or an employer) to make an illicit attempt to recruit (a player or employee bound by an existing contract)

Derived forms of tap

tappable, adjective

Word Origin for tap

Old English tæppa; related to Old Norse tappi tap, Old High German zapfo

British Dictionary definitions for tap (3 of 3)

tap³

/ (tæp) /

noun, verb

a Scot word for top 1

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 tap

tap

see on tap.

tap

Origin of tap

OTHER WORDS FROM tap

Words nearby tap

Other definitions for tap (2 of 2)

Origin of tap

OTHER WORDS FROM tap

Words related to tap

How to use tap in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tap (1 of 3)

Derived forms of tap

Word Origin for tap

British Dictionary definitions for tap (2 of 3)

Derived forms of tap

Word Origin for tap

British Dictionary definitions for tap (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with tap