tab

¹ American  

[tab] / tæb /

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 tab key.  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.

11. Aeronautics. a small airfoil hinged to the rear portion of a control surface, as to an elevator, aileron, or rudder.

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verb (used with object)

tabbed, tabbing

1. to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.

2. to name or designate.

verb (used without object)

tabbed, tabbing

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

idioms

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

   The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.

tab ² American  

[tab] / tæb /

noun

1. Slang. a tablet, as of a drug or medication.

2. Informal. tabloid.

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tab. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. tables.

2. (in prescriptions) tablet.

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tab ¹ British  

/ 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. informal to keep a watchful eye on

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verb

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

TAB ² British  

abbreviation

1. typhoid-paratyphoid A and B (vaccine)

2. Totalizator Agency Board

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tab ³ British  

/ tæb /

noun

1. short for tabulator tablet

2. slang a portion of a drug, esp LSD or ecstasy

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tab. ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. table (list or chart)

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tab More Idioms  

1. see keep tabs on.

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Etymology

Origin of tab¹

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

Origin of tab²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Origin of tab.³

From the Latin word tabella

Example Sentences

Ingest a small but powerful tab of L.A.-grown protein-rich amino acids optimized to enhance their longevity and fat-burning properties, and let the aminos take you away.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Nursing homes are expensive, and the tab is typically not picked up by a state Medicaid program unless the resident has essentially run out of money.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

The jump in borrowing costs will add to Uncle Sam’s interest tab, already around $1 trillion annually.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The app said it would notify users to allow them to opt out of data sharing and enable them to review or modify their choices through a prominent tab in the app's settings.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

“Pay the tab and I’ll give Sepia some articles—or let you use some chapters from the book I’ll write.”

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Related Words

• price tag