tap

A conical peg or pin used to close and open the hole or vent in a container.

An object with a tapering conical form like a tap (etymology 1, noun sense 1); specifically, ellipsis of taproot (“long, tapering root of a plant”).

A hollow device used to control the flow of a fluid, such as an alcoholic beverage from a cask, or a gas or liquid in a pipe.

We don’t have bottled water; you’ll have to get it from the tap.

informalA procedure that removes fluid from a body cavity; paracentesis.

abdominal tap    pleural tap    spinal tap

Liquor drawn through a tap (etymology 1, noun sense 2.2); hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor; also (figurative, informal), a certain kind or quality of any thing.

a liquor of the same tap

A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls or other communications.

A secret interception of telephone calls or other communications using such a device; also, a recording of such a communication.

telephone tap

A situation where a borrowing government authority issues bonds over a period of time, usually at a fixed price, with volumes sold on a particular day dependent on market conditions.

bond tap    tap issue

A light blow or strike with a clear sound; a gentle rap; a pat; also, the sound made by such a blow or strike.

When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.

informalThe smallest amount of work; a stroke of work.

One of the metal pieces attached to the sole of a tap dancer's shoe at the toe and heel to cause a tapping sound.

slangA shot fired from a firearm.

An act of touching a button, icon, or specific location on the touch screen of an electronic device such as a mobile phone to invoke a function.

A single muscle contraction in vocal organs causing a consonant sound; also, the sound so made.

UKUSA piece of leather or other material fastened upon the bottom of an item of footwear when repairing the heel or sole; also (England, dialectal) the sole of an item of footwear.

Ellipsis of tap dance.

IndiaA malarial fever.

To furnish (a container, etc.) with a tap (noun etymology 1, noun sense 2.2) so that liquid can be drawn.

To draw off (a liquid) from a container or other source; also, to draw off a liquid from (a container or other source).

He tapped the ten-year-old whiskey from its barrel.

informalTo drain off fluid from (a person or a body cavity) by paracentesis.

To break into or open up (a thing) so as to obtain something; to exploit, to penetrate; tap into.

Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.

To deplete (something); to tap out.

informalTo ask or beg for (something) to be given for free; to cadge, to scrounge; also, to ask or beg (someone) to give something for free.

I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn’t give me one.

To connect a listening and/or recording device to (a communication cable or device) in order to listen in secretly on telephone calls or other communications; also, to secretly listen in on and/or record (a telephone call or other communication).

They can’t tap the phone without a warrant.

To turn over (a playing card or playing piece) to remind players that it has already been used in that round.

To strike (someone or something), chiefly lightly with a clear sound, but sometimes hard.

Emma tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.

slangAlso in the form tap on the shoulder: to arrest (someone).

slangvulgarTo have sexual intercourse with (someone).

I would tap that hot girl over there.

slangTo shoot (someone or something) with a firearm.

To (lightly) touch (a finger, foot, or other body part) on a surface, often repeatedly.

You can pay by tapping your card.

To lightly touch a touchscreen, usually an icon or button, to activate a function.

Next, tap on the browser to get on the internet.

To lightly and repeatedly touch (a person or one or more body parts) as part of various forms of psychological treatment.

The therapist tapped him when he was overcome by anxiety.

To force (an opponent) to submit, chiefly by indicating their intention to do so by striking a hand on the ground several times; to tap out.

Initialism of talk aloud protocol.

Initialism of think aloud protocol.

Initialism of total audience package: an offering that includes ads broadcast during every part of the schedule.