taps
a signal by bugle or drum, sounded at night as an order to extinguish all lights, and sometimes performed as a postlude to a military funeral.
Origin of taps
1Words Nearby taps
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use taps in a sentence
Twin buglers played “taps” and three police helicopters flew overhead in the missing-man formation.
Tosi has been using cereal milk as a flavor ever since 2007, and she says it taps into a universal “memory sensor.”
More than 15,000 households have had their taps turned off for being past due.
Detroit Shuts Off Water to Residents but Not to Businesses Who Owe Millions | Mary M. Chapman | July 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLikely, The Woodman taps the facilities of a much larger, more-specialized operation like Loyalsock Firewood in Montoursville.
Those phone taps suggested the pair may have co-opted a judge for insider information.
France’s Ex-Prez Sarkozy Placed Under Formal Investigation for Corruption | Tracy McNicoll | July 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
No notice being taken of the taps, the unseen visitor, after a short lapse, ventured to open the door and peep in.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensIf a supply was required during the day it could be given by a pipe with two taps.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThe candle flickered on until "taps," when the guards, with unconscious irony shouted, "Lights out!"
There was a hubbub around the fire that kept everybody from paying the least attention to "taps."
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6) | John McElroyFill the vessels with water and lay the corks with their rods upon its surface, and set both taps running together.
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. II (of 2) | Polybius
British Dictionary definitions for taps
/ (tæps) /
mainly US
(in army camps, etc) a signal given on a bugle, drum, etc, indicating that lights are to be put out
any similar signal, as at a military funeral
(in the Guide movement) a closing song sung at an evening camp fire or at the end of a meeting
Origin of taps
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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