tapped; tapping
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
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
4
5
1
2
a
: a liquor drawn through a tap
b
: the procedure of removing fluid (as from a body cavity)
3
: wiretap
4
: a tool for forming an internal screw thread
5
: an intermediate point in an electric circuit where a connection may be made
tapped; tapping
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 tap—
Hugh Dwan
Hugh Dwan4
: coming up
other matches on tap—H. W. Wind
H. W. Wind
: to make a strong or advantageous connection with
trying to tap into a new market
Synonyms
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
Joelle Diderich, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Apple Music users can access their Replay by locating the Listen Now tab in the app, scrolling to the Replay section, tapping the Replay ’24 playlist and then selecting the plus button in the top right.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
This go-for-broke attitude is reflected in both the narrative, which challenges traditional tropes, and the choreography, which makes use of trash-can lids and roller-skates for two of the greatest tap numbers ever committed to screen.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tap 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
The luxury house last year tapped Thai actors Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, better known as Apo, and Phakphum Romsaithong, nicknamed Mile, as men’s ambassadors for the country.
—Joelle Diderich, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Apple Music users can access their Replay by locating the Listen Now tab in the app, scrolling to the Replay section, tapping the Replay ’24 playlist and then selecting the plus button in the top right.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
Where to après, eat, and drink: The mountain eats still have a way to go to catch up with others above, but the Powder Keg calls to skiers for a relaxed après with dive bar-style grub and local taps.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2024
This go-for-broke attitude is reflected in both the narrative, which challenges traditional tropes, and the choreography, which makes use of trash-can lids and roller-skates for two of the greatest tap numbers ever committed to screen.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tap
Dictionary Entries Near tap
Cite this Entry
“Tap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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 noun1
: 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
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