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
Verb
That program was recently expanded to adult learners who live in Mesa to tap into the scholarship funding. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2024 If not this man through the windows, then God, or my parents, or my real parents, who are actually just my parents, or the real me, who has been waiting for the right moment to take over, tap me out. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024 The teachers’ union clearly wouldn’t ignore efforts to tap their funding sources. Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 10 May 2024 Paesano tapped into Noa’s innocence, an ape living in a sheltered world, and the key to finding Noa’s motif was simplicity. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 May 2024 The menu, which combines Caribbean coastal flavors with Mediterranean techniques, capitalizes on local delicacies, tapping nearby markets for fresh seafood and coconuts and sourcing ingredients, like key limes, Bermuda cherries, and basil, from its own garden. Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2024 The culinary team taps into the chef’s garden to pick peppers, eggplant, peas, onions, squash, chives, rhubarb, and fresh herbs to star in cocktails and in dishes for Earth at Hidden Pond, the resort’s farm-to-fork restaurant. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2024 Slack tapped a couple of legendary (and now deceased) interior design legends, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, and Mica Ertegun, to do the place up in a distinguished manner that merges classical design principles with modern amenities. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 May 2024 Try to come up with your own statement, and make sure to tap into your emotions while building this concrete statement. Ali Aksu, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2024
Noun
On Guard will be on tap and in 4-pack cans, with a portion of the proceeds — $2 for each four-pack and $1 for each 16-ounce draft — going to the Detroit Historical Museum for its critical role in chronicling the city's legacy. Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024 But in a world where most House seats aren't competitive, there are plenty of fascinating and potentially expensive primary battles on tap. Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024 Basketball activities outside of light shooting and moving around aren’t on tap yet. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2024 There are 27 beers on tap and much of the same menu that Limjoco created at his taverns. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024 Fans of coffee shop cold brew will love having cold brew on tap in the fridge. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024 Bar groups expect the taps to flow in the summer when sales are usually better, according to JD Wetherspoon Plc Chairman Tim Martin. Chloé Meley, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024 Across the industry, streamers turned off the development-money tap as executives became risk-averse. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024 But its creation, in accordance with ancient Jewish law, was not as simple as turning on a tap. Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tap.' 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

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 17 May. 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
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