tap

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈtap 

tapped; tapping

transitive verb

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

5

: select, designate

was tapped for police commissioner

specifically : to elect to membership (as in a fraternity)

intransitive verb

1

: to strike a light audible blow : rap

2

: to walk with light audible steps

3

: tap-dance

tap

2 of 4

noun (1)

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

3

: tap dance sense 1

4

: half sole

5

: flap sense 7

tap

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

a

: a plug for a hole (as in a cask) : spigot

b

: a device consisting of a spout and valve attached to the end of a pipe to control the flow of a fluid : faucet

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

tap

4 of 4

verb (2)

tapped; tapping

transitive verb

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

4

: coming up

other matches on tap

—H. W. Wind

tap into

: to make a strong or advantageous connection with

trying to tap into a new market

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• beat
• drum
• rap

Noun (2)

• cock
• faucet
• gate
• spigot
• stopcock
• valve

Verb (2)

• bleed
• draft
• drain
• draw (off)
• pump
• siphon
• syphon

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

Verb

That program was recently expanded to adult learners who live in Mesa to tap into the scholarship funding. —Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2024

If not this man through the windows, then God, or my parents, or my real parents, who are actually just my parents, or the real me, who has been waiting for the right moment to take over, tap me out. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2024

The teachers’ union clearly wouldn’t ignore efforts to tap their funding sources. —Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 10 May 2024

Paesano tapped into Noa’s innocence, an ape living in a sheltered world, and the key to finding Noa’s motif was simplicity. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 May 2024

The menu, which combines Caribbean coastal flavors with Mediterranean techniques, capitalizes on local delicacies, tapping nearby markets for fresh seafood and coconuts and sourcing ingredients, like key limes, Bermuda cherries, and basil, from its own garden. —Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2024

The culinary team taps into the chef’s garden to pick peppers, eggplant, peas, onions, squash, chives, rhubarb, and fresh herbs to star in cocktails and in dishes for Earth at Hidden Pond, the resort’s farm-to-fork restaurant. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2024

Slack tapped a couple of legendary (and now deceased) interior design legends, Sister Parish, Albert Hadley, and Mica Ertegun, to do the place up in a distinguished manner that merges classical design principles with modern amenities. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 May 2024

Try to come up with your own statement, and make sure to tap into your emotions while building this concrete statement. —Ali Aksu, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2024

Noun

This baby activity table features zero buttons and requires a simple touch or tap of the finger to play the piano and test different instruments, with hundreds of melodies and sounds. —Maya Polton, Parents, 11 May 2024

The optional 10% cash tip has morphed into a not-so-discretionary 12.5% service charge, added automatically to the bill and paid with the tap of a card or phone. —Anthony Palazzo, Fortune Europe, 10 May 2024

The slightest tap of the rod tip will make a hovering jerkbait glint, turn, or shimmy without advancing it too far forward. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 May 2024

Denver Design Incubator, new pieces from Factory Fashion at the Stanley Marketplace, and more are on tap as well. —Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 9 May 2024

Also at Syfy, season two of The Ark is on tap for summer, and the third season of Surreal Estate is set for 2025. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2024

Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 May 2024

Some beers on tap, including the B.A. Brew from Falls City Brewing, are available as well as bottles and cans and a small selection of wine and nonalcoholic cocktails. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2024

Trending on Billboard When Hudson asked what was on tap this year, McEntire said her team of fashion experts have picked out some pieces that are unlike anything she’s ever worn before. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English tappen, from Old French taper to strike with the flat of the hand, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German tāpe paw, blow dealt with the paw

Noun (2)

Middle English tappe, from Old English tæppa; akin to Old High German zapho tap

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tap

• love tap
• on tap
• spinal tap
• tap dance
• tap-in
• tap into
• tap-off
• tap out
• tap pants
• tap shoe
• tap water

Kids Definition

tap

1 of 4 noun

ˈtap 

1

: faucet, spigot

2

: the procedure of removing fluid from a container or cavity by tapping

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 noun

1

: 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

ˈtap 

: 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