a small flap, strap, loop, or similar appendage, as on a garment, used for pulling, hanging, or decoration.
a tag or label.
a small projection from a card, paper, or folder, used as an aid in filing.
Informal.
a bill, as for a meal in a restaurant; check: That dinner went way over my budget, so I was relieved when she offered to pick up the tab.
a list of accruing costs, as drinks ordered in a bar: Go ahead and order another round of beers—we’ve got a running tab.
a small piece attached or intended to be attached, as to an automobile license plate.
a small flap or tongue of material used to seal or close the opening of a container.
Also called tabulator, tab key . a key on a typewriter that moves the carriage, typing element, etc., a predetermined number of spaces, used for typing text in columns, for fixed indentations, etc.
Also called tab key . a key on a computer keyboard that moves the cursor a predetermined number of spaces, used for keying text in columns or form fields, for fixed indentations, etc.
Digital Technology.
(in a web browser window or in a spreadsheet or other application) a page displayed by clicking on or selecting a user interface element that resembles a paper tab:The third tab in the spreadsheet list expenses.
the display of this user interface element:I have too many tabs open in my browser right now.
Theater.
a small, often narrow, drop curtain, for masking part of the stage.
tableau curtain.
Aeronautics. a small airfoil hinged to the rear portion of a control surface, as to an elevator, aileron, or rudder.Compare trim tab.
verb (used with object),tabbed,tab·bing.
to furnish or ornament with a tab or tabs.
to name or designate.
verb (used without object),tabbed,tab·bing.
to operate the tab function on a typewriter or computer.
Idioms for tab
keep tabs / tab on, Informal. to keep an account of; check on; observe: The police kept tabs on the suspect's activities.
Origin of tab
1
First recorded in 1600–10; most senses of unknown origin;in def. 7 short for tabulator; in def. 10 short for tableau; in defs. 4, 15 short for table
That victory for the tab became a bargaining chip in all future dealings with the superstar.
I Warned You About Bill Cosby in 2007|Mark Ebner|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Runaway corporations benefited from those policies but want U.S. companies to pay their share of the tab.
The Democrats Have Found a New Boogeyman, and It’s Burger King|Tim Mak|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They started the tab; as a country, we have simply, and certainly, continued it.
Life, Liberty, and the Founding Fathers’ Pursuit of Hoppiness|Kevin Bleyer|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Critics run that tab as high as $4 billion, calculating the lost tax revenues over 40 years.
Are Athletes Using Your Tax Dollars to Juice?|Stuart Stevens|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, as usual, the mega-billionaire is expected to pick up the tab.
Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Courts Jeb in Sin City|John L. Smith|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One nation paints these arrows upwards, another downwards, a third sideways—and others again use other distinctions, as in tab.
The History of Virginia, in Four Parts|Robert Beverley
The tab method is also used for a combination of daily and monthly index.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1|Various
I drop my pencil signing a tab, and when I look down it is floating in a pool of champagne.
The Trail of '98|Robert W. Service
Upon the tab of her coat she was wearing was the name of a costumier: 'Sartori, Via Roma.'
The Sign of Silence|William Le Queux
He fell sick in the Persian city of Tab, and while in a state of delirium, expired .
History of the Jews, Vol. I (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
British Dictionary definitions for tab (1 of 4)
tab1
/ (tæb) /
noun
a small flap of material, esp one on a garment for decoration or for fastening to a button
any similar flap, such as a piece of paper attached to a file for identification
a small auxiliary aerofoil on the trailing edge of a rudder, aileron, or elevator, etc, to assist in the control of the aircraft in flightSee also trim tab
Britishmilitarythe insignia on the collar of a staff officer
mainlyUS and Canadiana bill, esp one for a meal or drinks
Scot and Northern Englishdialecta cigarette
keep tabs oninformalto keep a watchful eye on
verbtabs, tabbingortabbed
(tr)to supply (files, clothing, etc) with a tab or tabs