American Dictionary

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Definition tap in American English

tap verb

verb
/tæp/

▪ firmly, gently, lightly, rapidly, repeatedly, softly

1

to touch someone or something gently and to move them slightly, or to make a soft knocking sound

Example

Several young men were tapping away at keyboards (=using computers).

Example

We could hear someone tapping at the door.

Example

I tapped him on the shoulder and he jumped.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to touch the screen of a mobile device in order to make something happen

Example

If you have decided to attend a programme, tap this button to add and synchronise the event details.

Example

Tap here to activate plugin.

Synonyms and related words
2

to use electronic equipment to secretly listen to what someone says on the telephone

Synonyms and related words
3

to get a substance from a particular place or object

Example

tapping trees for rubber

Synonyms and related words
3.1

to get money from a particular person

Example

They intend to raise the money by tapping shareholders.

Example

I'll have to tap into my savings to pay my bills.

Synonyms and related words
4

if you tap something such as someone's ability or a supply of information, you use it or get some benefit from it

Example

Are you tapping your staff's full potential?

Example

Several other companies were already tapping this market.

Synonyms and related words
5

to choose someone for a task, especially membership of an organization or committee

Example

The President has tapped a former Justice Department official to lead the FBI.

Definition tap in American English