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

Athletes Unlimited named Kim Ng their first commissioner of Athletes Unlimited Softball League last week tapping into Ng’s vast experience as a general manager and trail blazer in the MLB. —Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Rice was quick to tap the next corner in to Odegaard before getting the return pass. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Noun

Your phone becomes your card with tap and pay capabilities. —Bindesh Pandey, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The [Light touch from a decorator?] is not a tap, but an ACCENT LAMP. —Deb Amlen, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for tap

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

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