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The Britannica Dictionary tap 9 ENTRIES FOUND:

• tap (verb)
• tap (noun)
• tap (noun)
• tap (verb)
• taps (noun)
• tap dance (noun)
• tap water (noun)
• phone tapping (noun)
• spinal tap (noun)

1 tap /ˈtæp/ verb taps; tapped; tapping 1 tap /ˈtæp/ verb taps; tapped; tapping Britannica Dictionary definition of TAP 1 : to hit (someone or something) lightly especially with a small sound [+ object]

• He was tapping the desk with a pencil.
• He tapped her (on the) shoulder to get her attention.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• Go tap on a window and see if anyone is home.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to hit (your fingers, feet, etc.) against something lightly [+ object]

• He was tapping a pencil on the desk.
• She tapped her foot to (the beat of) the music.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• Her foot was tapping to the music.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] chiefly US : to choose (someone) for a particular job, honor, etc. — often + for

• She was tapped for police commissioner.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often followed by to + verb

• She was tapped to be police commissioner.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

tap in/into

[phrasal verb] tap (something) in or tap in (something) or tap (something) in/into (something) : to put (information) into a machine (such as a computer or telephone) by pushing buttons

• She tapped in my name and found my account records.
• He tapped the numbers into the calculator.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

tap out

[phrasal verb] 1 tap (something) out or tap out (something) : to follow the pattern of (something, such as a rhythm) by tapping on a surface

• She tapped out the beat with her feet.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to press buttons on a computer or typewriter to write (something)

• He quickly tapped out a memo.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 4tap 2 tap /ˈtæp/ noun plural taps 2 tap /ˈtæp/ noun plural taps Britannica Dictionary definition of TAP [count] 1 : a light hit or touch or the sound that it makes

• There was a tap at the door.
• I felt a tap on my shoulder. [=someone tapped my shoulder]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : a small metal plate on the sole or heel of a shoe used for tap dancing — compare 3tap 3 tap /ˈtæp/ noun plural taps 3 tap /ˈtæp/ noun plural taps Britannica Dictionary definition of TAP [count] 1 : a device for controlling the flow of a liquid or gas from a pipe or container: such as a : faucet

• turn on/off the tap
• the hot/cold tap
• a bathroom/kitchen tap

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ In British English, tap is the usual word for this device. In U.S. English, tap is also commonly used in this way, but faucet is more common. — see pictures at bathroom, kitchen; see also tap water b : spigot 1

• the tap on a beer keg

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : a device that allows someone to secretly listen to phone conversations

• There was a tap on her phone.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — called also wiretap

on tap

1 : served from a barrel

• beer on tap

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : available whenever you need it

• The hotel has Internet service on tap.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 US : planned or scheduled to happen

• I called to find out what's on tap for the weekend.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also spinal tap 4 tap /ˈtæp/ verb taps; tapped; tapping 4 tap /ˈtæp/ verb taps; tapped; tapping Britannica Dictionary definition of TAP 1 : to take or use money, knowledge, etc., from a source [+ object]

• tap the nation's resources

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• We need to tap into new markets.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used figuratively

• The story taps into powerful emotions.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [+ object] : to make liquid flow from something by attaching a special device (called a spigot or tap), making or opening a hole, etc.

• tap a keg
• tapping maple trees for their sap = tapping sap from maple trees

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] : to place a device on (someone's phone) in order to secretly listen to telephone calls

• The FBI tapped her phone.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] : to get something useful or valuable from (someone) — usually + for

• He tried to tap me for a loan. [=tried to get me to give him a loan]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — compare 1tap ASK THE EDITOR

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