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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
Here’s how in Gmail: Click on the gear icon, then select Settings
In the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, scroll down and click Create a new filter.
—WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023
But a slightly-too-loose employee could risk losing their job or being put on notice for running up a tab—especially if a company is operating on thin margins.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
In his effort to win the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy has centered his foreign-policy strategy on combating the Chinese Communist Party, even dedicating an entire issues tab of his campaign website to declaring economic independence from Beijing.
—Audrey Fahlberg, National Review, 7 Nov. 2023
These ultra-warm house shoes are also easy to get on and off, thanks to stretchy side panels and heel tabs.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
Sift the dry ingredients, crack the eggs and mix the dough all with a simple pull of the board book’s tabs.
—New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Once bemoaned as a source of recession worries, the U.S. economy has become a wellspring of good news: blistering growth, robust hiring and consumers opening their wallets for everything from concert tickets to bar tabs.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2023
The tab was $7.7 billion, a Wall Street Journal analysis of company disclosures and legal filings shows.
—WSJ, 31 Oct. 2023
Ryan Morik, Fox News, 10 Oct. 2023
Read full article During a recent interview with Men’s Health, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana — largely considered the greatest QB in history before Brady’s ascension — tabbed another signal caller as the best football has seen.
—Conor Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
Three keys to East Central’s win Josh Ringer: The senior running back, tabbed as one of the top contenders for Indiana Mr. Football by the Indianapolis Star this month, set the tone by taking his first carry of the new season and running 53 yards for a touchdown.
—James Weber, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2023
Last week, Bon Appetit included Kann in its annual restaurant guide, while Food & Wine tabbed a Texas restaurant with Portland ties as its Restaurant of the Year.
—Mrussell, oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023
The rookie was tabbed as the Arizona Diamondbacks' starting pitcher for Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday night, so no one can blame him for being nervous.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
The can tab charm is priced at $108 and created in recycled 14k gold.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2023
Alabama coach Nick Saban has tabbed Jalen Milroe as the starting quarterback for the season opener Saturday, Sept. 2, against Middle Tennessee.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
Matula said the only actor currently tabbed to be part of the project is Corbin Bernsen as the present-day Clyde.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 26 June 2023
See More
Noun
The tech company already offers an Uber Taxi option that connects riders to taxicabs, but riders have to choose that tab and pay based on taxi meter fares.
—Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
Here’s how in Gmail: Click on the gear icon, then select Settings
In the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab, scroll down and click Create a new filter.
—WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023
But a slightly-too-loose employee could risk losing their job or being put on notice for running up a tab—especially if a company is operating on thin margins.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2023
In his effort to win the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy has centered his foreign-policy strategy on combating the Chinese Communist Party, even dedicating an entire issues tab of his campaign website to declaring economic independence from Beijing.
—Audrey Fahlberg, National Review, 7 Nov. 2023
These ultra-warm house shoes are also easy to get on and off, thanks to stretchy side panels and heel tabs.
—Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
Sift the dry ingredients, crack the eggs and mix the dough all with a simple pull of the board book’s tabs.
—New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Once bemoaned as a source of recession worries, the U.S. economy has become a wellspring of good news: blistering growth, robust hiring and consumers opening their wallets for everything from concert tickets to bar tabs.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2023
The tab was $7.7 billion, a Wall Street Journal analysis of company disclosures and legal filings shows.
—WSJ, 31 Oct. 2023
Verb
Orioles manager Brandan Hyde tabbed Kremer as the starter when the two spoke Sunday at breakfast.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 10 Oct. 2023
Read full article During a recent interview with Men’s Health, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana — largely considered the greatest QB in history before Brady’s ascension — tabbed another signal caller as the best football has seen.
—Conor Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
Three keys to East Central’s win Josh Ringer: The senior running back, tabbed as one of the top contenders for Indiana Mr. Football by the Indianapolis Star this month, set the tone by taking his first carry of the new season and running 53 yards for a touchdown.
—James Weber, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2023
Last week, Bon Appetit included Kann in its annual restaurant guide, while Food & Wine tabbed a Texas restaurant with Portland ties as its Restaurant of the Year.
—Mrussell, oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023
The rookie was tabbed as the Arizona Diamondbacks' starting pitcher for Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday night, so no one can blame him for being nervous.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
The can tab charm is priced at $108 and created in recycled 14k gold.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2023
Alabama coach Nick Saban has tabbed Jalen Milroe as the starting quarterback for the season opener Saturday, Sept. 2, against Middle Tennessee.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2023
Matula said the only actor currently tabbed to be part of the project is Corbin Bernsen as the present-day Clyde.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 26 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing tab
Dictionary Entries Near tab
Cite this Entry
“Tab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tab. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on tab
Nglish: Translation of tab for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tab for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tab
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share