tapping

noun

tap·​ping ˈta-piŋ How to pronounce tapping (audio)
Synonyms of tappingnext
: the act, process, or means by which something is tapped

Examples of tapping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even things that used to require a brief in-person conversation with a human being—signing in at the doctor’s office or ordering a coffee—require tapping, swiping, and scanning. Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile outside, volunteers offered short presentations on the collection of sap as well as others supervising the drilling of logs to mimic the tapping of a tree while still others stood around a smoking fire boiling sap down for syrup. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 The porter's footsteps echoed back into the marbled lobby, and then even the tapping dissipated into the air or the sound of the boat’s engine. Vic O'Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026 But apps, as many have discovered, can be quite frustrating in practice, with all the tapping and swiping through multiple screens. Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tapping

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tapping was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapping. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

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