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
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
c
: cost
the tab for the new program
3
[short for tabulator]
: a key on a keyboard that indents text by a preset amount
tabbed; tabbing
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
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Multiply the two numbers together, then perform some additional mathematical operations (opens a new tab).
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024
Miles Stanley has been tabbed as the crew chief for the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Mustang driven by Josh Berry in 2025.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tab 
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Noun
Instead of adding to the stadium tab with more seats, Ryan says his family instead emphasized more than 200,000 square feet of plazas and open areas around the stadium.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Multiply the two numbers together, then perform some additional mathematical operations (opens a new tab).
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
Are there coaches on the staff who are tabbed to step into the coordinator roles if the coordinators depart?
—Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024
Miles Stanley has been tabbed as the crew chief for the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Mustang driven by Josh Berry in 2025.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tab
Dictionary Entries Near tab
Cite this Entry
“Tab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tab. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tab
1 of 2 noun1
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
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