tap water

American  

noun

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

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tap water British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tap water

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tap water

These brands have benefited from higher scrutiny of tap water.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Like most inhabitants of the village of Szada, 25 kilometres northwest of Budapest, their home has been without tap water for almost two days.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

Some areas get less than an hour of tap water a day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

The risk of cryptosporidium meant residents in some parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf have been obliged to boil their tap water before drinking, cooking or brushing teeth since last Friday.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

My solution to the lack of air conditioning at my own house was to run our T-shirts under the cold, cold tap water in the bathroom sink.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth