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tab

n. · v.
US //ˈtæb// UK //tˈæb// tab
  1. 1 physical flap (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small piece of material that sticks out from something, used for pulling or identifying it.

    a small flap, strip, or projection attached to an object to facilitate opening, handling, or identification.

    Example

    Pull the plastic tab on the battery compartment to start the device.

    Example

    The archivist used colour-coded tabs to mark the most significant pages in the ledger for quick reference during the presentation.
  2. 2 computing navigation (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    a clickable button at the top of a web browser or window that lets you switch between pages.

    a graphical user interface element that allows a user to switch between different documents or panels within a single window.

    Example

    I have so many tabs open in my browser that I can't see the titles.

    Example

    The developer implemented a tabbed interface to prevent the workspace from becoming cluttered with multiple independent windows.
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  1. 3 restaurant bill (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a bill for food or drinks, especially one that you pay at the end of a night.

    an informal record of a customer's charges, typically in a bar or restaurant, to be settled at a later time.

    Example

    We decided to run a tab at the bar and pay for all the drinks together.

    Example

    The regular customers were permitted to keep a monthly tab, settling their accounts only after their paychecks were deposited.
  2. 4 keyboard key (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    the key on a computer keyboard used to move the cursor forward several spaces.

    a key on a computer keyboard that inserts a horizontal space or moves the focus to the next input field.

    Example

    Press the tab key to move to the next box in the form.

    Example

    The software allows users to navigate through the entire menu system using only the tab and enter keys.

  3. 5 musical notation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Music

    a simple way of writing music for guitar that shows where to put your fingers.

    a form of musical notation, primarily for fretted string instruments, indicating instrument fingering rather than musical pitches.

    Example

    He couldn't read sheet music, so he learned the song using a guitar tab.

    Example

    While professional musicians often prefer standard notation, many hobbyists find that tabs offer a more intuitive way to learn complex solos.
    • tablature
  4. 6 drug tablet (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang Medicine

    a small pill or tablet, often used when talking about illegal drugs.

    a small tablet or pill, frequently used in the context of illicit substances or specific medications.

    Example

    The police found several tabs of acid in the suspect's pocket.

    Example

    The forensic report confirmed that the tabs contained a mixture of synthetic compounds rather than pure MDMA.
  5. 7 cigarette (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Dialect Informal

    a common word for a cigarette in some parts of the UK.

    a regional term for a cigarette, primarily used in North East England.

    Example

    He went outside for a quick tab before the meeting started.

    Example

    The local dialect in Newcastle includes several unique terms, such as using 'tab' to refer to a cigarette.
  6. 8 to move the cursor (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    to move across a screen or form by pressing the tab key.

    to advance a cursor or move between input fields using the tab key. Intransitive in this sense.

    Example

    You can tab through the different sections of the website to save time.

    Example

    The user interface was designed so that data entry clerks could tab efficiently between fields without needing to use a mouse.
Idioms1 entry

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