tab

¹

[ tab ]

noun

1. a small flap, strap, loop, or similar appendage, as on a garment, used for pulling, hanging, or decoration.
2. a tag or label.
3. a small projection from a card, paper, or folder, used as an aid in filing.
4. Informal.
   1. a bill, as for a meal in a restaurant; check:

      That dinner went way over my budget, so I was relieved when she offered to pick up the tab.

   2. a list of accruing costs, as drinks ordered in a bar: .

      Go ahead and order another round of beers—we’ve got a running tab

5. a small piece attached or intended to be attached, as to an automobile license plate.
6. a small flap or tongue of material used to seal or close the opening of a container.
7. Also called tabulator,. a key on a typewriter that moves the carriage, typing element, etc., a predetermined number of spaces, used for typing text in columns, for fixed indentations, etc.
8. Also called tab key. a key on a computer keyboard that moves the cursor a predetermined number of spaces, used for keying text in columns or form fields, for fixed indentations, etc.
9. Digital Technology.
   1. (in a web browser window or in a spreadsheet or other application) a page displayed by clicking on or selecting a user interface element that resembles a paper tab:

      The third tab in the spreadsheet list expenses.

   2. the display of this user interface element:

      I have too many tabs open in my browser right now.

10. Theater.
    1. a small, often narrow, drop curtain, for masking part of the stage.
    2. tableau curtain ( def ).
11. Aeronautics. a small airfoil hinged to the rear portion of a control surface, as to an elevator, aileron, or rudder. Compare trim tab.

verb (used with object)

, tabbed, tab·bing.

1. to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.
2. to name or designate.

verb (used without object)

, tabbed, tab·bing.

1. to operate the tab function on a typewriter or computer.

tab

²

[ tab ]

noun

1. Slang. a tablet, as of a drug or medication.
2. Informal. tabloid ( def 1 ).

tab.

³

abbreviation for

1. tables.
2. (in prescriptions) tablet.

TAB

¹

abbreviation for

1. typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)
2. Totalizator Agency Board

tab.

²

abbreviation for

1. table (list or chart)

tab

³

/ tæb /

noun

1. short for tabulator tablet
2. slang.
   a portion of a drug, esp LSD or ecstasy

tab

⁴

/ tæb /

noun

1. a small flap of material, esp one on a garment for decoration or for fastening to a button
2. any similar flap, such as a piece of paper attached to a file for identification
3. a small auxiliary aerofoil on the trailing edge of a rudder, aileron, or elevator, etc, to assist in the control of the aircraft in flight See also trim tab
4. military the insignia on the collar of a staff officer
5. a bill, esp one for a meal or drinks
6. dialect.
   a cigarette
7. keep tabs on informal.
   to keep a watchful eye on

verb

1. tr to supply (files, clothing, etc) with a tab or tabs

Word History and Origins

Origin of tab¹

First recorded in 1600–10; most senses of unknown origin; tab ¹indef 7 short for tabulator; tab ¹indef 10 short for tableau; tab ¹indefs 4, 15 short for table

Origin of tab²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Origin of tab³

From the Latin word tabella

Word History and Origins

Origin of tab¹

C17: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. keep tabs / tab on, Informal. to keep an account of; check on; observe:

   The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.

More idioms and phrases containing tab

see keep tabs on .

Example Sentences

Justice Department lawyers said Google had locked out rivals by signing deals with Apple, Mozilla, Samsung and others to be the default search engine that appears when users open a smartphone or a new tab in a web browser.

From New York Times

Iowa and Nebraska reject U.S. money for a summer children’s food program even though the federal government is picking up the tab.

From Los Angeles Times

Then you give them a tab of acid and it goes in a completely different direction.

From Los Angeles Times

California officials might decide to have the state pick up the tab.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier that evening, Richardson was dining at Geoffrey’s in Malibu, where she displayed strange behavior and failed to pay an $89 tab, according to guests and staff.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• price tag