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

In 1988, Alaska's trans-Alaska pipeline, or TAPS, was pumping a tremendous amount of petroleum from Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope to Valdez on the state's southern coast — approximately 2 million barrels a day.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2023

The shoe retails for $150.00 with Newton Running donating $50.00 of each purchase to TAPS.

From Fox News • Jul. 12, 2019

Proceeds and charitable contributions are donated to the NFL’s military nonprofit partners, including the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, Pat Tillman Foundation and TAPS.

From Washington Times • Nov. 3, 2017

But when uniformed men from an agency called TAPS, the Technology Allied Protection Service—who appear to be under Gross’ thumb—arrest Howell for stealing the device, the firm leaps to action to protect their employee.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2016

One hundred percent of the proceeds from 2,774 Courage Caps and 1,858 Courage T-shirts sold benefitted TAPS, a national nonprofit that provides care for the families of America’s fallen military heroes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 22, 2013