tap Meaning & Definition
What Does Tap Mean?
Tap is a symbol that means ISO 639-3 language code for Taabwa. As a noun, it means A conical peg or pin used to close and open the hole or vent in a container. As a verb, it means To furnish (a container, etc.) with a tap (noun etymology 1, noun sense 2.2) so that liquid can be drawn. To draw off (a liquid) from a container or other source; also, to draw off a liquid from (a container or other source).
Tap at a Glance
| Part of speech | symbol, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //tæp// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | strike, solicit and bug |
| Plural | taps |
| Verb forms | taps, tapping, tapped |
Tap Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-3 language code for Taabwa.
Tap as a Noun
- A conical peg or pin used to close and open the hole or vent in a container.
- An object with a tapering conical form like a tap (etymology 1, noun sense 1); specifically, ellipsis of taproot (“long, tapering root of a plant”).
A hollow device used to control the flow of a fluid, such as an alcoholic beverage from a cask, or a gas or liquid in a pipe.
We don’t have bottled water; you’ll have to get it from the tap.
- An object with a tapering conical form like a tap (etymology 1, noun sense 1); specifically, ellipsis of taproot (“long, tapering root of a plant”).
- A hollow device used to control the flow of a fluid, such as an alcoholic beverage from a cask, or a gas or liquid in a pipe.
We don’t have bottled water; you’ll have to get it from the tap.
- A procedure that removes fluid from a body cavity; paracentesis.
abdominal tap pleural tap spinal tap
- Liquor drawn through a tap (etymology 1, noun sense 2.2); hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor; also , a certain kind or quality of any thing.
a liquor of the same tap
- A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls or other communications.
A secret interception of telephone calls or other communications using such a device; also, a recording of such a communication.
telephone tap
- A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls or other communications.
- A secret interception of telephone calls or other communications using such a device; also, a recording of such a communication.
telephone tap
- A situation where a borrowing government authority issues bonds over a period of time, usually at a fixed price, with volumes sold on a particular day dependent on market conditions.
bond tap tap issue
- A cylindrical tool used to cut an internal screw thread in a hole, with cutting edges around the lower end and an upper end to which a handle is fitted to turn the tool.
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve’s thread.
- Ellipsis of taphouse or taproom (“place where alcoholic beverages are served on tap”).
- A connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it; a tapping.
The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.
Tap as a Verb
- To furnish (a container, etc.) with a tap (noun etymology 1, noun sense 2.2) so that liquid can be drawn.
To draw off (a liquid) from a container or other source; also, to draw off a liquid from (a container or other source).
He tapped the ten-year-old whiskey from its barrel.
- To furnish (a container, etc.) with a tap (noun etymology 1, noun sense 2.2) so that liquid can be drawn.
- To draw off (a liquid) from a container or other source; also, to draw off a liquid from (a container or other source).
He tapped the ten-year-old whiskey from its barrel.
- To drain off fluid from (a person or a body cavity) by paracentesis.
- To break into or open up (a thing) so as to obtain something; to exploit, to penetrate; tap into.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.
- To deplete (something); to tap out.
- To ask or beg for (something) to be given for free; to cadge, to scrounge; also, to ask or beg (someone) to give something for free.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn’t give me one.
- To connect a listening and/or recording device to (a communication cable or device) in order to listen in secretly on telephone calls or other communications; also, to secretly listen in on and/or record (a telephone call or other communication).
They can’t tap the phone without a warrant.
- To turn over (a playing card or playing piece) to remind players that it has already been used in that round.
- To force (an opponent) to place all their poker chips in the pot (that is, to go all in) by wagering all of one's own chips.
- To remove a taproot from (a plant).
- To cut an internal screw thread in (a hole); also, to cut (an internal screw thread) in a hole, or to create an internally threaded hole in (something).
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
- To cut an external screw thread into (a bolt or rod) to create a screw.
- To put (a screw or other object) in or through another thing.
- To act as a tapster; to draw an alcoholic beverage from a container. To spend money, etc., freely.
- To act as a tapster; to draw an alcoholic beverage from a container.
- To spend money, etc., freely.
Verb
- To strike (someone or something), chiefly lightly with a clear sound, but sometimes hard.
Emma tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.
- Also in the form tap on the shoulder: to arrest (someone).
- To have sexual intercourse with (someone).
I would tap that hot girl over there.
- To shoot (someone or something) with a firearm.
- To (lightly) touch (a finger, foot, or other body part) on a surface, often repeatedly.
You can pay by tapping your card.
- To lightly touch a touchscreen, usually an icon or button, to activate a function.
Next, tap on the browser to get on the internet.
- To lightly and repeatedly touch (a person or one or more body parts) as part of various forms of psychological treatment.
The therapist tapped him when he was overcome by anxiety.
- To force (an opponent) to submit, chiefly by indicating their intention to do so by striking a hand on the ground several times; to tap out.
- To invoke a function on an electronic device such as a mobile phone by touching (a button, icon, or specific location on its touch screen).
- To repair (an item of footwear) by putting on a new heel or sole, or a piece of material on to the heel or sole.
to tap shoes
- To choose or designate (someone) for a duty, an honour, membership of an organization, or a position.
He was tapped by the president to act as a special counsel.
- Often followed by at or on: to strike lightly with a clear sound; also, to make a sharp noise through this action.
The tree was swaying in the breeze and tapping on the window pane.
- To walk by striking the ground lightly with a clear sound.
- Of a bell, a drum, etc.: to make a sharp noise, often as a signal.
- To submit to an opponent, chiefly by indicating an intention to do so by striking a hand on the ground several times; to tap out.
- Of a hare or rabbit: to strike the ground repeatedly with its feet during the rutting season.
Noun
- A light blow or strike with a clear sound; a gentle rap; a pat; also, the sound made by such a blow or strike.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
- The smallest amount of work; a stroke of work.
- One of the metal pieces attached to the sole of a tap dancer's shoe at the toe and heel to cause a tapping sound.
- A shot fired from a firearm.
- An act of touching a button, icon, or specific location on the touch screen of an electronic device such as a mobile phone to invoke a function.
- A single muscle contraction in vocal organs causing a consonant sound; also, the sound so made.
- A piece of leather or other material fastened upon the bottom of an item of footwear when repairing the heel or sole; also the sole of an item of footwear.
- Ellipsis of tap dance.
Noun
- A malarial fever.
Noun
- A tapering cylindrical pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask.
- A device used to dispense liquids.
We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap.
- Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor.
a liquor of the same tap
- A place where liquor is drawn for drinking.
- A device used to cut an internal screw thread. (External screw threads are cut with a die.)
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve's thread.
- A connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it.
The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.
- An interception of communication by authority.
- A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls.
- A procedure that removes fluid from a body cavity.
abdominal tap
Verb
- To furnish with taps.
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup!
- To draw off liquid from a vessel.
He tapped a new barrel of beer.
- To deplete, especially of a liquid via a tap; to tap out.
- To exploit.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.
- To place a listening or recording device on a telephone or wired connection.
They can't tap the phone without a warrant.
- To intercept a communication without authority.
He was known to tap cable television.
- To cut an internal screw thread.
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
- To turn or flip a card or playing piece to remind players that it has already been used that turn (by analogy to "tapping," in the sense of drawing on to the point of temporary exhaustion, the resources or abilities represented by the card).
- To cadge, borrow or beg.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn't give me one.
- To drain off fluid by paracentesis.
- To advance someone for a post or job, or for membership of a club.
Trump interviewed Mueller for FBI job day before he was tapped for special counsel.
Noun
- A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
- The act of touching a touch screen.
- A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.
- A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed; usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.
- A consonant sound made by a single muscle contraction, such as the sound [ɾ] in the standard American English pronunciation of body.
Verb
- To strike lightly.
She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
- To touch one's finger, foot, or other body parts on a surface (usually) repeatedly.
He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
- To make a sharp noise.
The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.
- To operate an electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) by tapping a specific place on its (capacitive or other) touch screen.
- To designate for some duty or for membership, as in 'a tap on the shoulder'.
- To have sexual intercourse with.
I would tap that hot girl over there.
- To submit to an opponent by tapping one's hand repeatedly.
- To force (an opponent) to submit.
- To put a new sole or heel on.
to tap shoes
Noun
- A rhythmic dance in which the heels and toes of the dancer's shoes make a series of clicks
Noun
- An Indian malarial fever.
Synonyms of Tap
Antonyms of Tap
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Tap in a Sentence
We don’t have bottled water; you’ll have to get it from the tap.
Is the tap water here safe to drink?
Taps, also called spouts or spiles, are valveless pipes inserted into drilled holes in maple trees to collect their sap as part of the process of making maple syrup
abdominal tap pleural tap spinal tap
a liquor of the same tap
telephone tap
bond tap tap issue
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve’s thread.
The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.
He tapped the ten-year-old whiskey from its barrel.
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.
He tried to tap cable television without a subscription.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn’t give me one.
They can’t tap the phone without a warrant.
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
Emma tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.
I would tap that hot girl over there.
I’d tap that.
You can pay by tapping your card.
He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
Next, tap on the browser to get on the internet.
The therapist tapped him when he was overcome by anxiety.
to tap shoes
He was tapped by the president to act as a special counsel.
The tree was swaying in the breeze and tapping on the window pane.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap.
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve's thread.
abdominal tap
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup!
He tapped a new barrel of beer.
They can't tap the phone without a warrant.
He was known to tap cable television.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn't give me one.
Trump interviewed Mueller for FBI job day before he was tapped for special counsel.
She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.
Word Forms & Grammar
tap (plural taps)
tap (third-person singular simple present taps, present participle tapping, simple past and past participle tapped)
tap (countable and uncountable, plural taps)
tap (uncountable)
Words That Rhyme With Tap
Origin of Tap
Origin 1: The noun is derived from Middle English tappe (“hollow device for controlling the flow of liquid from a hole, cock, faucet, spigot; hole through which the liquid flows; the liquid which thus flows”),[1] from Old English tæppa, from Proto-West Germanic *tappō, from Proto-Germanic *tappô (“a plug, tap; peg; tapering stick”), from Proto-Indo-European *deh₂p- (“to lose; to sacrifice”).[2] Doublet of tapa.
Origin 2: The verb is derived from Middle English tappen (“to obtain (liquid, chiefly liquor) from a tap; to obtain and sell (liquor)”),[3] from Old English tæppian (“to provide (a container) with a stopper; to obtain (liquid) from a tap”), and then either:
Origin 3: Verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.3.5 (“to turn over (a playing card or playing piece) to remind players that it has already been used in that round”) alludes to the abilities or resources of the card or piece having been drawn on to the point of temporary exhaustion: see verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.3.2.
Origin 4: The verb is derived from Middle English tappen, teppen (“to give (something) a knock or tap; to hit (something) lightly, pat, tap”),[5] either:[6]
Tap Pronunciation
You say tap as //tæp//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Tap
Is tap a symbol or a noun?
Tap is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for tap?
Close synonyms of tap are strike, solicit and bug. See the full list of tap synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of tap?
The plural of tap is taps.
What is the past tense of tap?
The past tense of tap is tapped. The present participle is tapping.