taps 1 of 3

Definition of tapsnext
present tense third-person singular of tap

taps

2 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of tap

taps

3 of 3

noun

plural of tap
as in valves
a fixture for controlling the flow of a liquid turn the tap to the right for cold water and to the left for hot water

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of taps
Verb
An InStyle editor taps a celebrity nail artist to round up 10 pretty colors worth bookmarking this season. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026 The work also taps manufacturing infrastructure Lyntris already uses for radar and electronic warfare programs. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026 Alan does the table walkaround and taps Funeral Director Joe, who is ecstatic, and Pilot Tomica. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 One of five new Loewe perfumes landing in September, Field Diary taps citrusy notes such as green mandarin and blood orange, paired with lychee, orange blossom and musk. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 The company's namesake and the second part of the land's legacy taps directly into Kentucky's early whiskey industry. — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Sep. 2026 Bey sings in Spanish for a handful of songs, uses samples from icons like Celia Cruz and Selena Quintanilla, and even taps Maluma for a brand new track. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026 The special episode, which PEOPLE attended during the taping on June 5, taps a few of Clarkson’s biggest fans and some of the folks directly impacted by TKCS’s charitable efforts over the years, to request their favorite songs from her catalog. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Today the program, led by Lucinda Vette, extends far beyond riding and taps deeply into the way the animals respond to the feelings and intentions of the Miraval participants. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taps
Verb
  • The franchise’s iconic theme song is starting to play, the loud warrior drums about to give way to that ubiquitous melody.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Krieger and Densmore, the two surviving members of The Doors, are the backbone of the video, revisiting the signature guitar and drums parts more than a half-century after they were originally laid to wax.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nothing drains a team faster than not knowing which version of leadership will show up today.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Calderas form when the ground above a magma reservoir collapses as the magma drains away.
    — Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The company is replacing the valves in all 12 crew module maneuvering thrusters, along with implementing measures to prevent erosion.
    — William Harwood, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Engineers also reconfigured the inflatable bladder to maintain the original air volume while eliminating chest layers and moved the carbon dioxide valves to the back.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you (Jane Birkin bangs?
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The actress elevated the dress with a pair of Isabelle pumps from the late British designer’s label.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Usha Vance, meanwhile, chose a cobalt-blue, high-neck silk dress by Saloni with Manolo Blahnik pumps.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taps. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!