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
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
c
: cost
the tab for the new program
3
[short for tabulator]
: a key on a keyboard that indents text by a preset amount
tabbed; tabbing
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
Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024
And at least a dozen have reached out, according to the Planetary Society, which is keeping close tabs on how the VIPER program might evolve.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
Quinnipiac tabbed Pecora as head coach after last season, when Dunleavy returned to Villanova as GM.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tab 
Noun
After filing for divorce on July 15, Josh, 43, has seemingly removed all promo videos that he was featured in for The Flip Off from the main page of his Instagram account (the videos are still shared under the Instagram Reels tab on his profile).
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 6 Aug. 2024
And at least a dozen have reached out, according to the Planetary Society, which is keeping close tabs on how the VIPER program might evolve.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024
Verb
Running back Jason Stoner was the junior of the year and tabbed by one coach as the likely MVP of the league this season.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024
Quinnipiac tabbed Pecora as head coach after last season, when Dunleavy returned to Villanova as GM.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tab
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tab
Cite this Entry
“Tab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tab. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tab
1 of 2 noun1
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
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
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