Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, flat, often projecting piece: A tab is a short strip of material attached to or projecting from something to make it easier to open, identify, or handle.
   • A key on a keyboard: The tab key on a typewriter or computer keyboard that, when pressed, moves the cursor or insertion point to a preset position.
   • A bill or check: (Informal) The tab is the bill in a restaurant or bar.
   • A dose of medicine: A tab can be a small, solid dose of medicine, like a pill or tablet.
   • A section or divider: A tab can be a projecting flap or piece on a folder, file, or index card used for organization and labeling.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Projecting piece):
  • Pull the tab to open the can.
  • The collar has a tab with a button hole.
• Noun (Keyboard key):
  • Press the tab key to indent the first line of your paragraph.
• Noun (Bill/Check):
  • He asked the waiter for the tab.
  • Can you pick up the tab for dinner?
• Noun (Medicine):
  • The doctor prescribed one tab to be taken daily.
• Noun (Organizational divider):
  • Files with a red tab will be stored separately.
  • The filing cards were organized by cards having indexed tabs.

Advanced Usage

• "to pick up the tab": To pay the bill for something, especially in a social context.
  • The company picked up the tab for the entire conference.
• "to keep tabs on (someone/something)": To monitor or watch someone or something closely; to keep track of.
  • The manager keeps tabs on all the projects in the department.

Variants and Related Words

• Tabbed (adj): Having or featuring tabs.
  • A tabbed folder helps organize documents.
• Tablet (n): A solid, compressed dose of medicine; a slab of stone or clay for writing. (Note: While "tab" is an informal shortening for a tablet of medicine, "tablet" is the more formal and complete term.)

Synonyms

• Flap: A flat, hinged or attached piece.
• Bill/Check: A statement of money owed.
• Pill/Tablet: A small, solid dose of medicine.
• Tag/Label: A piece of material for identification.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Tab out: (Informal, often in a bar context) To leave a bar or restaurant, often after settling one's bill.
  • It's late; I'm going to tab out and head home.

Related Idioms

• Pick up the tab: To pay for something.
  • As a thank you, I'll pick up the tab for lunch.
• Keep tabs on: To monitor or watch.
  • She keeps tabs on her investments every day.

Noun

1. a dose of medicine in the form of a small pellet
2. a short strip of material attached to or projecting from something in order to facilitate opening or identifying or handling it
   • pull the tab to open the can
   • files with a red tab will be stored separately
   • the collar has a tab with a button hole
   • the filing cards were organized by cards having indexed tabs
3. the key on a typewriter or a word processor that causes a tabulation
4. sensationalist journalism
5. the bill in a restaurant
   • he asked the waiter for the check