taps Meaning & Definition
What Does Taps Mean?
Taps is a noun that means 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; the signal is sometimes also given during the funeral of a soldier. As a verb, it means third-person singular simple present indicative of tap. As a verb, it means To furnish with taps.
Word Facts for Taps
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /tæps/ |
| Synonyms | lights-out, bar and taproom |
| Plural | only |
Taps Definition (Noun)
- 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; the signal is sometimes also given during the funeral of a soldier.
Noun
- plural of tap
Taps as a Verb
- third-person singular simple present indicative of tap
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
Synonyms of Taps
Taps in a Sentence
We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap.
a liquor of the same tap
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.
abdominal tap
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup!
He tapped a new barrel of beer.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.
They can't tap the phone without a warrant.
He was known to tap cable television.
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
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.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.
I would tap that hot girl over there.
to tap shoes
Word Forms & Grammar
taps pl (plural only)
taps
Words That Rhyme With Taps
Origin of Taps
From tap (noun) + -s. Noun 1 sense 1 (“signal for extinguishing all lights in soldiers’ quarters and retiring to bed”) is from the fact that the signal was originally made using a drum.[1]
Taps: Your Questions Answered
Is taps a noun or a verb?
Taps is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for taps?
You can replace taps with words such as lights-out, bar and taproom. See the full list of taps synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of taps?
The plural of taps is only.