Definition tab
Etymology 1
First attested 1607, of uncertain origin.
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- A small flap or strip of material attached to something, for holding, manipulation, identification, etc.
- (slang) An ear.
- (by extension, graphical user interface) A navigational widget, resembling a physical tab, for switching between documents or sets of controls.
- (graphical user interface) The page or form associated with such a navigational widget.
- (informal) A tablet, especially one containing illicit drugs.
- (British Army, military slang) A fast march or run with full kit.
Verb
tab (third-person singular simple present tabs, present participle tabbing, simple past and past participle tabbed)
- To affix with tabs; to label.
Etymology 2
Apocopation (shortening) of (variously) tabulate, tabulator, or tabulation.
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- (informal, chiefly Canada, US) A restaurant bill.
- (informal, chiefly Canada, US) Credit account, e.g., in a shop or bar; slate
- (computing) A space character that extends to the next aligned column, traditionally used for tabulation.
Verb
tab (third-person singular simple present tabs, present participle tabbing, simple past and past participle tabbed)
- (computing) To use the Tab key on a computer to advance the cursor or move the input focus, or on a typewriter to advance the carriage.
Etymology 3
Likely to have been formed by clipping the Geordie pronunciation of the word tobacco or alternatively from the brand name Ogden's Tabs.
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- (Britain, regional, Geordie and Mackem) cigarette.
Etymology 4
Clipping of tablature
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- A form of musical notation indicating fingering rather than the pitch of notes, commonly used for stringed instruments.
Etymology 5
Clipping of Cantab, from Cantabrigian, from Latin Cantabrigia (“Cambridge”).
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- (British slang) A student of Cambridge University.
Etymology 6
Clipping of tabloid.
Noun
tab (plural tabs)
- (colloquial) A tabloid newspaper.