\ ˈtab
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Definition of tab
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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 1table; partly from sense 1 ]
a
: close surveillance : watch
keep tabs on trends
c
: cost
the tab for the new program
tab
verb
tabbed;
tabbing
Definition of tab (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for tab
Synonyms: Noun
account, bill, check, invoice, statement
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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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Downing said event organizers are now monitoring social media geographically, keeping tabs on those at or near concerts and sporting events. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, "Can we make Walmarts and other public spaces safer? Mass shootings show vulnerable ‘soft targets’," 6 Aug. 2019 Yet other online databases that keep tabs on mass shootings use narrower criteria that differentiate injuries and deaths. — Elyssa Cherney, chicagotribune.com, "The same weekend as massacres in El Paso and Dayton, 15 people were shot in 2 Chicago incidents. Why aren’t those called mass shootings too?," 5 Aug. 2019 The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had already targeted six Texas districts and is keeping tabs on more potential retirements in seats that had close 2018 races -- Reps. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Hickenlooper says he "probably would have" defended Biden on debate stage," 2 Aug. 2019 The Weather Service is keeping tabs on a significant increase in moisture throughout the week, bringing temperatures back in line, Rogers said. — Riley Murdock, azcentral, "Excessive heat warning issued for Phoenix area through Sunday night," 28 July 2019 Keep your financial expectations in check by keeping tabs on your shipboard account numbers every few days throughout the sailing. — Condé Nast Traveler, "10 Things You Should Never Do On a Cruise," 18 July 2019 Ailes was keeping tabs on Luhn through Fox’s connections and surveillance system. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "Laurie Luhn & Roger Ailes' Relationship Was As Complicated In Real Life As It Is In The Loudest Voice," 15 July 2019 That study, which measured the effect of a drug like RAD001 on the immune system, also kept tabs on other signs of health and fitness, such as changes in walking speed. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Can a single pill keep you healthy to 100?," 10 July 2019 Outside of town, farmers keep tabs on their sprinklers via smartphone apps and run their tractors via in-cab, tablet-size screens. — Anna Staver, The Denver Post, "Denver Post listening tour: “Yuma County is a 21st-century community that respects people”," 28 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
So, when King made typical freshman mistakes last year, like being late or slacking in class, UIW coach Eric Morris tabbed him for 5 a.m. workouts with strength and conditioning coach Bret Huth. — Greg Luca, ExpressNews.com, "Ameer King matures, steps into No. 1 role for UIW offense," 21 Aug. 2019 The coaches tabbed defending champion New Hampshire as the preseason favorite with 47 points and five of eight first-place selections. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Bayhawks hire Chris Burdick as new defensive coordinator," 13 Aug. 2019 For this new campaign, Coach tabs longtime faces of the brand, Michael B Jordan and Kiko Mizuhara. — James Love, Essence, "Michael B. Jordan and Yara Shahidi Star in Coach’s New Fall/Winter 2019 Campaign," 25 July 2019 Media members tabbed two-time defending conference champion UCF to win the East and Memphis to take the West, just ahead of Houston. — Alex Putterman, courant.com, "UConn picked to finish last in preseason AAC football poll, plus other media day notes," 16 July 2019 After investing in Cam Johnson, Phoenix tabbed Jerome, who isn’t quite the shooter that Johnson is but profiles as a great pick-and-roll passer and floor-spacer. — Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "NBA draft grades: Phoenix Suns' Ty Jerome NBA draft pick receiving some early praise," 21 June 2019 The Cleveland Indians tabbed Nick Mikolajchak in 11th round of the 2019 MLB draft on Wednesday. — Arianna Vedia, Houston Chronicle, "Sam Houston State pitcher Nick Mikolajchak (Klein Collins) drafted by Indians," 5 June 2019 Meanwhile, Howie Schwab at Fox Sports tabs the Huskies as a No. — Percy Allen, The Seattle Times, "Washington climbs to No. 7 in NCAA tournament projections, but still not ranked in AP top 25," 4 Feb. 2019 Sunday’s game here reverted to a 1 p.m. start and the network tabbed the Dodgers-Angels game in Anaheim, instead. — David Waldstein, New York Times, "The Yankees Went to Extra Innings, but Still Knocked Off Early," 8 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tab
tab
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tab
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a small, flat piece on a box, envelope, etc., that can be put into a hole in order to hold two parts together
: a small, flat piece that sticks out from the edge of something (such as a folder) and allows you to identify and find it easily
US
: a small piece of metal, plastic, etc., that is pulled in order to open or close something
tab
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of tab (Entry 2 of 2)
: to put a small, identifying label (called a tab) on something
US, informal
: to say that (someone or something) will do something or have a particular role or purpose
: to hit the tab key on a computer or typewriter
See the full definition for tab in the English Language Learners Dictionary