tab

1 of 2

noun

ˈtab 

often attributive

1

a

: 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

c

: appendage, extension

especially : one of a series of small pendants forming a decorative border or edge of a garment

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 table entry 1; partly from sense 1]

a

: close surveillance : watch

keep tabs on trends

b

: a creditor's statement : bill, check

c

: cost

the tab for the new program

3

[short for tabulator] : a key on a keyboard that indents text by a preset amount

4

[by shortening]

a

: tablet

b

: tabloid

tab

2 of 2

verb

tabbed; tabbing

transitive verb

1

: to furnish or ornament with tabs

2

: to single out : designate

3

: tabulate

Synonyms

Noun

• account
• bill
• check
• invoice
• statement

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

Instead of adding to the stadium tab with more seats, Ryan says his family instead emphasized more than 200,000 square feet of plazas and open areas around the stadium. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024

Multiply the two numbers together, then perform some additional mathematical operations (opens a new tab). —John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024

Verb

Are there coaches on the staff who are tabbed to step into the coordinator roles if the coordinators depart? —Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024

Miles Stanley has been tabbed as the crew chief for the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Mustang driven by Josh Berry in 2025. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tab

• pick up the tab
• pick up the tab/bill/check
• pull tab
• tab key

Kids Definition

tab

1 of 2 noun

ˈtab 

1

a

: a short flap or tag used as an aid in filing, pulling, or hanging

b

: something inserted

2

a

: close watch

keep tabs on fashion trends

b

: bill entry 3 sense 2, check

3

: a key on a keyboard especially for arranging information in columns

tab

2 of 2 verb

tabbed; tabbing

1

: to furnish or ornament with tabs

2

: to select or name for a special purpose : designate

tabbed as the team's next captain

3

: to hit the tab key on a keyboard

Medical Definition

tab

noun

ˈtab 

: tablet