Tab | Mean of tab in English Dictionary

/ˈtæb/

• Noun
• a small, flat piece on a box, envelope, etc., that can be put into a hole in order to hold two parts together
1. Insert the tab into this slot to close the box.
• a small, flat piece that sticks out from the edge of something (such as a folder) and allows you to identify and find it easily
1. a notebook with index tabs
• a small piece of metal, plastic, etc., that is pulled in order to open or close something
1. The tab on the zipper is broken.
2. the tab [=(US) pull tab, (Brit) ring pull] on a can of soda

• a record of the things (such as drinks at a bar) that a customer has ordered and will pay for later
1. He ran up a $200 bar tab.
2. The final tab [=bill] came to $200.
3. He put the drinks on his tab.
4. She offered to pick up the tab. [=pay the bill] for the meal.
• a small pill of an illegal drug
1. a tab of Ecstasy
• to carefully watch (someone or something) in order to learn what that person or thing is doing
1. We are keeping tabs on their movements.
2. The magazine keeps tabs on the latest fashion trends.
• Verb
• to put a small, identifying label (called a tab) on something
1. a tabbed notebook [=a notebook with index tabs]
• to say that (someone or something) will do something or have a particular role or purpose
1. She was tabbed (as) the favorite to win.
2. an amount of money tabbed for maintenance
• to hit the tab key on a computer or typewriter
1. After you type your name in the first box, you can move to the next box by tabbing.