tab

noun, often attributive \ ˈtab \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

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

c : appendage, extension; especially : one of a series of small pendants forming a decorative border or edge of a garment

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

[partly short for ¹table; partly from sense 1]

a : close surveillance : watch

keep tabs on trends

b : a creditor's statement : bill, check

c : cost

the tab for the new program

[short for tabulator]

: a key on a keyboard that indents text by a preset amount

[by shortening]

a : tablet

b : tabloid

See tab defined for English-language learners

See tab defined for kids

Examples of tab in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of tab from the Web

Sets now have an acrylic title bar, and the Alt-Tab experience now includes recent Microsoft Edge tabs to switch between.

— tom warren, The Verge, "Windows 10 is getting a File Explorer dark mode and new cloud clipboard," 9 May 2018
The suspect's mother was at Bar Louie and ended up paying his tab.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Driver who overdosed is revived: Lyndhurst police blotter," 8 May 2018
Google also pointed out that personalized news suggestions only appear under the For You tab in Google News.

— nitasha tiku, WIRED, "The Price of Google's New Conveniences? Your Data," 8 May 2018
All the straps have small Velcro tabs at the end that stick to the fleece lining behind the front panel and keep everything out of the way.

— emily reed, Outside Online, "Why I Love the $220 Astral BlueJacket PFD," 8 May 2018
If people need advanced life support, such as paramedic assistance, the minimum tab is now $791 and the top is $870.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "$36.75 aspirin give you a headache? Hales Corners officials say it's not their fault," 8 May 2018
But with that freedom comes paying the tab: pick almost any song, and Campbell’s telling you about how self-ownership can feel commensurately sweet and sour.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "Ashley Campbell's Debut 'The Lonely One' Takes Hard Choices In Confident Stride: Album Premiere," 4 May 2018
Perched on an easel in Kiernan’s office is a massive foam-core board, affixed with individual velcro tabs.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "What Exactly Goes Into the Met Gala Seating Chart?," 4 May 2018
And, after all of that, Rice suggests making sure there’s someone in your corner before clicking the purchase tab.

— mary jo bowling, Curbed, "How to buy a sofa," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tab

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1607

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

tab Synonyms

Synonyms

account, bill, check, invoice, statement;

Related Words

receipt, reckoning;

document, ledger, record;

charge, cost, expense, fee, price, rate, toll;

score, tally;

tab

verb

tabbed; tabbing

transitive verb

1 : to furnish or ornament with tabs

2 : to single out : designate

3 : tabulate

See tab defined for English-language learners

Examples of tab in a Sentence

After you type your name in the first box, you can move to the next box by tabbing.

Recent Examples of tab from the Web

As of Wednesday afternoon, Spieth was tabbed by oddsmakers as the 10-1 co-favorite with Woods.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Masters anticipation soaring with Woods, top players in form," 4 Apr. 2018
As of Wednesday afternoon, Spieth was tabbed by oddsmakers as the 10-1 co-favorite with Woods.

— tod leonard, latimes.com, "All eyes on Tiger at Masters, but there are plenty of players fit to wear the green jacket," 4 Apr. 2018
As a freshman, Auguste was named Second-Team All-Conference and was tabbed as The Sun Conference's Freshman of the Year.

— mike may, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Former Broncos baller earns collegiate All-American recognition," 31 Mar. 2018
With starting goaltender Jake Allen tabbed Friday against the Golden Knights, backup Carter Hutton (16-7-0, 2.02 GAA) could get the start on Saturday in Arizona.

— richard morin, azcentral, "Game Day: Arizona Coyotes' Christian Dvorak a game-time decision vs. Blues on Saturday," 30 Mar. 2018
Since tabbing Flacco in the first round in 2008, the Ravens have spent a grand total of two sixth-round picks on quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor in 2011 and Keith Wenning in 2014.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens position-by-position draft preview: Quarterback," 16 Apr. 2018
Same with Hill, who never reached his perceived potential in the NBA, a player once tabbed as a successor for Michael Jordan.

— dan bickley, azcentral, "Bickley: Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Grant Hill Hall of Fame nods a light in dark Suns season," 29 Mar. 2018
While several metro Detroit chefs and restaurants were in the running as semifinalists, only Zingerman’s Delicatessen was tabbed as a finalist.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Zingerman's Delicatessen a finalist for prestigious James Beard Awards," 14 Mar. 2018
Walter Football Updated March 8 Analyst Walter Cherepinsky keeps the Raiders on defense, tabbing Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea.

— noel harris, sacbee, "Raiders mock drafts: Analysts agree that defensive help is Oakland's biggest need | The Sacramento Bee," 8 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of tab

1872

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TAB Defined for English Language Learners

tab

noun

: a small, flat piece on a box, envelope, etc., that can be put into a hole in order to hold two parts together
: a small, flat piece that sticks out from the edge of something (such as a folder) and allows you to identify and find it easily
: a small piece of metal, plastic, etc., that is pulled in order to open or close something

tab

verb

: to put a small, identifying label (called a tab) on something
: to say that (someone or something) will do something or have a particular role or purpose
: to hit the tab key on a computer or typewriter