taps

American  

[taps] / tæps /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. 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.

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taps British  

/ tæps /

noun

1. 1. (in army camps, etc) a signal given on a bugle, drum, etc, indicating that lights are to be put out

   2. any similar signal, as at a military funeral

2. (in the Guide movement) a closing song sung at an evening camp fire or at the end of a meeting

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Etymology

Origin of taps

1815–25, probably tap(too) , variant of tattoo ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

It also taps into publicly available sources, including social-media posts, officials familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Turn the stop tap clockwise, turn off your heating, and open all your taps to quickly drain the system.

From BBC

Bloomberg taps an array of publicly information—including real estate values, insider stock transactions, dividends and taxes—to come up with the estimates for its index, which is updated daily.

From Barron's

“Copenhagen” taps the adrenal gland by keeping viewers off balance about who is who and what is what, beginning with the opening subtitles: President—and former CIA director—George H.W.

From The Wall Street Journal

Each episode involves a cosy mystery that taps into John’s ability to not only make puzzles but also solve them.

From Salon