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

Yet when it’s time to write an email, she taps out the message with her own 10 fingers.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also taps into and reflects “how ridiculous most of your 20s are and also how ridiculous the world around us is,” Whitaker said.

From Los Angeles Times

It taps your temple with metaphor, allusion and maybe an oblique tease.

From New York Times

Residents are struggling with dry taps, garbage and dilapidated buildings.

From New York Times

The fake news taps right into the American psyche.

From Salon