tapping

¹ American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that taps or strikes lightly.

2. the sound produced by this.

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tapping ² American  

[tap-ing] / ˈtæp ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of tapping casks, telephone conversations, etc.

2. something that is drawn by tapping.

3. paracentesis.

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Etymology

Origin of tapping¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at tap ¹, -ing ¹

Origin of tapping²

First recorded in 1590–1600; tap ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Aides off-screen began furiously tapping their shoulders and passing them notes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Critical Metals stock skyrocketed Friday after the miner took a big step toward tapping Greenland’s rare earth deposits.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Eddie Van Halen, whose two-handed tapping made him a generational talent, died of cancer in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Studies now show that plants can continue drawing large amounts of water even during hot, dry conditions, tapping both snowmelt and groundwater and reducing the amount that reaches rivers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Ivan leaped into the air, tapping his heels together off to the side, and landed on his feet as lightly as fall leaves.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

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