Main Entry:

²tap

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

tapped; tap·ping

Date:

15th century

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 (as a telephone or radio signal) to get information4: to form an internal screw thread in by means of a tap5: to get money from as a loan or gift6: to connect (a street gas or water main) with a local supply

— tap·per noun

— tap into

: to make a strong or advantageous connection with <trying to tap into a new market>