tab1

 
Pronunciation: /tab/

noun

  • 1a small flap or strip of material attached to or projecting from something, used to hold, fasten, or manipulate it, or for identification and information.
  • Military, British a marking on the collar distinguishing an officer of high rank or (formerly) a staff officer.
  • North American term for ring pull.
  • 2 Computing a second or further document or page that can be opened on a spreadsheet or web browser.
  • 3 informal, chiefly North American a restaurant bill: the waiter brought three drinks and a new tab
  • a tally of items ordered in a bar or restaurant: Bobby had told the barman to put everything on the tab
  • 5 Aeronautics a part of a control surface, typically hinged, that modifies the action or response of the surface.
  • 6Northern English informal a cigarette.

verb (tabs, tabbing, tabbed)

[with object]
  • mark or identify with a projecting piece of material: he opened the book at a page tabbed by a cloth bookmark
  • chiefly North American identify as being of a specified type or suitable for a specified position: he was tabbed by the President as the next Republican National Committee chairman

Phrases

keep tabs (or a tab) on

informal monitor the activities or development of; keep under observation: they liked to keep tabs on their former employees

pick up the tab

informal pay for something: my company will pick up the tab for all moving expenses

Derivatives

tabbed

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: perhaps related to tag1