tap

1 of 4

verb (1)

tapped; tapping

transitive verb

1
: to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
2
: to give a light blow with
tap a pencil on the table
3
: to bring about by repeated light blows
tap out a story on the typewriter
4
: to repair by putting a tap on
5
: select, designate
was tapped for police commissioner
specifically : to elect to membership (as in a fraternity)

intransitive verb

1
: to strike a light audible blow : rap
2
: to walk with light audible steps
3

tap

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a light usually audible blow
also : its sound
b
: one of several usually rapid drumbeats on a snare drum
2
: a small metal plate for the sole or heel of a shoe
3
4
5

tap

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: a plug for a hole (as in a cask) : spigot
b
: a device consisting of a spout and valve attached to the end of a pipe to control the flow of a fluid : faucet
2
a
: a liquor drawn through a tap
b
: the procedure of removing fluid (as from a body cavity)
3
4
: a tool for forming an internal screw thread
5
: an intermediate point in an electric circuit where a connection may be made

tap

4 of 4

verb (2)

tapped; tapping

transitive verb

1
: to let out or cause to flow by piercing or by drawing a plug from the containing vessel
tap wine from a cask
2
a
: to pierce so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap maple trees
b
: to draw out, from, or upon
tap new sources of revenue
the story taps powerful emotions
3
: to cut in on (something, such as a telephone or radio signal) to get information
4
: to form an internal screw thread in by means of a tap
5
: to get money from as a loan or gift
6
: to connect (a street gas or water main) with a local supply
Phrases
on tap
1
: ready to be drawn from a large container (such as a cask or keg)
ale on tap
2
: broached or furnished with a tap
3
: on hand : available
services instantly on tapHugh Dwan
4
: coming up
other matches on tapH. W. Wind
tap into
: to make a strong or advantageous connection with
trying to tap into a new market

Examples of tap in a Sentence

Verb (1) tapped her foot in time to the music kept tapping the desk with his pencil Noun (2) turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water Verb (2) the oil company tapped that first well completely dry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Democrats quickly and remarkably coalesced around Harris who as vice president could seamlessly tap into Biden’s campaign funds and avoided a contested primary. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Aimone designed the boutique himself and tapped Italian architects and craftspeople to help realize it. Samantha Conti, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
That's right, there are 15 games on tap for tonight. Matt Modi, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Tomorrow's Verse Taproom at 5pm Cost: Free The vibe: A cozy, neighborhood feel where there are dozens of beers and ciders on tap to quell your anxieties. Meira Gebel, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tap 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English tappen, from Old French taper to strike with the flat of the hand, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German tāpe paw, blow dealt with the paw

Noun (2)

Middle English tappe, from Old English tæppa; akin to Old High German zapho tap

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tap was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near tap

Cite this Entry

“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tap

1 of 4 noun
1
2
: the procedure of removing fluid from a container or cavity by tapping

tap

2 of 4 verb
tapped; tapping
1
: to release or cause to flow by making a hole or by drawing a plug from a container or cavity
tap wine from a cask
2
a
: to make a hole in so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap maple trees
b
: to draw from or upon
tap the nation's resources
tapper noun

tap

3 of 4 verb
tapped; tapping
: to strike or cause to strike lightly especially with a slight sound
tap on a window
tap one's foot
tapper noun

tap

4 of 4 noun
1
: a light blow or its sound
2
: a small metal plate for the sole or heel of a shoe (as for tap dancing)
Etymology

Noun

Old English tæppa "a plug for a hole (as in a wine cask)"

Verb

Middle English tappen "to strike lightly, tap," from early French taper "to strike with the side of the hand"; of Germanic origin

Medical Definition

tap

1 of 4 noun
: the procedure of removing fluid (as from a body cavity) see lumbar puncture

tap

2 of 4 transitive verb
tapped; tapping
: to pierce so as to let out or draw off a fluid
tap the spine for a specimen of cerebrospinal fluid

tap

3 of 4 transitive verb
tapped; tapping
: to strike lightly especially with a slight sound

tap

4 of 4 noun
: a light usually audible blow
also : its sound

More from Merriam-Webster on tap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!