tap water

noun

1. water, obtained directly from a faucet or tap, that has not been purified, distilled, or otherwise treated.

tap water

noun

1. water drawn off through taps from pipes in a house, as distinguished from distilled water, mineral water, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of tap water¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Overnight, the plume spread to the city’s drinking water intakes, and 400,000 Toledoans were told to not drink or cook with tap water, or even bathe with it.

From Salon

When you leave the beach rinse any sand and seawater off their coat and paws with tap water to stop it causing any irritation.

From BBC

The boil water notice instructs residents to only used boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.

From Los Angeles Times

“During this time, it remains very important that customers in the area avoid using tap water until further notice,” DWP said in a written statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The problem was that under EU law, "natural mineral water" – which sells at a huge premium over tap water – is supposed to be unaltered between the underground source and the bottle.

From BBC