tapping

¹ American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that taps tap taps or strikes lightly.

2. the sound produced by this.

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tapping ² American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of tapping casks, telephone conversations, etc.

2. something that is drawn by tapping.

3. paracentesis.

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Etymology

Origin of tapping¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; tap ¹, -ing ¹

Origin of tapping²

First recorded in 1590–1600; tap ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

We’re tapping digital buttons that now stand in for physical buttons that once stood in for a mechanical method for interacting with a complex system.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

The International Energy Agency is currently assessing whether tapping reserves of oil further is needed to soften the blow from spiking prices.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Instead of tapping naturally with your fingertips, you often have to angle your fingers awkwardly just to make contact with the screen.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

Online marketplaces aren’t seeking slot-machine players as much as rookies eager to strike gold by tapping on their smartphones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

And Josie might as well have been a perpetual motion machine, her head spinning around to gaze at everything in wonder, her toes tapping, her fingers fidgety.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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