tab

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
a
: a short projecting device: such as
(1)
: a small flap or loop by which something may be grasped or pulled
(2)
: a projection from a card used as an aid in filing
b
: a small insert, addition, or remnant
c
: appendage, extension
especially : one of a series of small pendants forming a decorative border or edge of a garment
d
: a small auxiliary airfoil hinged to a control surface (such as a trailing edge) to help stabilize an airplane in flight see airplane illustration
2
[partly short for table entry 1; partly from sense 1]
a
: close surveillance : watch
keep tabs on trends
b
: a creditor's statement : bill, check
c
: cost
the tab for the new program
3
[short for tabulator] : a key on a keyboard that indents text by a preset amount
4
[by shortening]
a
: tablet
b

tab

2 of 2

verb

tabbed; tabbing

transitive verb

1
: to furnish or ornament with tabs
2
: to single out : designate
3

Examples of tab in a Sentence

Noun Insert the tab into this slot to close the box. a notebook with index tabs The tab on the zipper is broken. He ran up a $200 bar tab. He put the drinks on his tab. Verb After you type your name in the first box, you can move to the next box by tabbing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
No one can escape the world of never-ending tabs, not even Stardew players. Nena Farrell, WIRED, 22 Mar. 2024 Voters in Shawnee County, meanwhile, can find a Spanish tab for how to register to vote in Kansas on their election office’s website. Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Microsoft has also added a dark mode to Notepad, tabs, Copilot AI integration, and even a virtual fidget spinner. Tom Warren, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024 As well as helping with the bar tab, the Prince and Princess of Wales also marked the occasion by sharing a look at the Irish Guards' rehearsals on Instagram. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 And, of those naysayers, almost 9-in-10 came from voices outside of the banking sector, according to an analysis from a law firm keeping close tabs on the proposal. Philip Elliott, TIME, 18 Mar. 2024 Rather than write with a pen or pencil, which Jews are prohibited from doing on Yom Kippur and the Sabbath, worshipers designated what to give by bending a perforated tab. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 After paying his tab and leaving the San Francisco pub, Tierney had to decide which of his mini-dates to match with. Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 View in new tab Are Preston Lord's attackers facing the death penalty? Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024
Verb
Last week’s news that the FDA has delayed its decision on Eli Lilly’s treatment for Alzheimer’s disease had only a modest effect on the company’s valuation, suggesting the market had considerably lowered its expectations for a medicine once tabbed for blockbuster success. Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 Clarence Hill was tabbed in the breaking news category for his story on Ezekiel Elliott’s departure from the Dallas Cowboys. Staff Report, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Mar. 2024 He’ll be tabbed to replace Kupchak, who’s moving into an advisory role after serving as the team’s president of basketball operations/general manager since 2018. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Spencer, the man who nearly brought the team back just before the pandemic, was tabbed to be the team’s head coach. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 Harbaugh was suspended twice for three games, each for two separate NCAA investigations, and Moore was tabbed to lead one of the first three games (Bowling Green) and then all three of the final games of the year — at Penn State, at Maryland, vs. Ohio State — with the season on the line. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024 Fred Carter, a 1949 Frankfort graduate, was tabbed by then-Frankfort mayor Harold Woodruff to lead a steering committee and aid the Hollywood producers, who picked Case Arena for its size and its home appearance from the outside, resembling a college arena. The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2024 The Tigers also tabbed Sandy Acevedo and Marco Yepez as the managers for the two teams in the Dominican Summer League. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 23 Jan. 2024 Former Flyers Keith Jones and Danny Briere took charge as president and general manager, respectively, and Dan Hilferty was tabbed as the club’s governor. Aaron Bracy, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tab was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near tab

Cite this Entry

“Tab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tab. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tab

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a short flap or tag used as an aid in filing, pulling, or hanging
b
: something inserted
2
a
: close watch
keep tabs on fashion trends
3
: a key on a keyboard especially for arranging information in columns

tab

2 of 2 verb
tabbed; tabbing
1
: to furnish or ornament with tabs
2
: to select or name for a special purpose : designate
tabbed as the team's next captain
3
: to hit the tab key on a keyboard

Medical Definition

tab

noun
: tablet

More from Merriam-Webster on tab

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!