tab
noun [ C ]
uk/tæb/ usa small piece of paper, metal, or cloth that is attached to the edge of something:
The metal tabs at one end are where the wires fasten.
IT, INTERNET
a small symbol on a website that gives you information about the different pages you can open on that website:
Move between pages by clicking on the tabs at the top of the screen.
IT (also tab stop)
a fixed position on a line of text that you are writing on a computer, etc. that can be reached by pressing the tab key
informal
the amount of money that is charged for something:
The committee will reimburse the state $70,000 of the $105,000 tab for a recent trade mission to Ireland.
The tab to clean up the mess caused by the oil spill has already hit $9 million.
pick up the tab (for sth) The state picks up the health care tab for many low-income clients.
pay the tab (for sth) Pharmaceutical companies pay most of the tab for the trials.
a record of what you have ordered or used but not yet paid for, especially in a bar or restaurant:
put sth on the/your tab Just put it on the tab, please.
on sb's tab I ordered drinks for everyone, even though this was all going on my tab.
They were put up in hotels on the state's tab.
tab
verb [ T, usually passive ]
uk/tæb/ usto think or say that someone or something should have a particular job or use:
tab sb to do sth He was tabbed to restore glory and dignity to USA Basketball.
tab sb as sth The CEO unofficially tabbed him as his successor.
tab sb/sth for sth She was tabbed for a seat on the Board.
to put tabs on something:
tab sth with sth There was a stack of mail-order catalogues tabbed with sticky labels.