tap
verb
uk/tæp/ us-pp- [ I or T ]
to get or make use of something that exists, such as money, skills, information, energy, etc.:
The company has tapped a $8750 general fund surplus to pay for the building projects.
Ultra-deep water drilling techniques allow them to tap energy reserves once thought to be out of reach.
tap into sth They are driven by a desire to tap into this lucrative commercial market.
tap sth for sth Do we have any assets that can be tapped for capital?
[ T ] US informal
to choose someone for a job:
tap sb to do sth The board tapped him to lead the company through bankruptcy reorganization.
[ T ] IT informal
to put information, numbers, etc. into a computer, telephone, etc. by pressing buttons:
tap away at/on sth When I came in, she was tapping away at her computer.
tap sth into sth He tapped his password into the computer.
tap sth in Shoppers may also be asked to tap in identity numbers at tills.
tap sth out SMS allows people to send messages tapped out on the telephone keypad.
tap
noun
uk/tæp/ us [ C ]
a piece of equipment that controls the flow of liquid or gas from a pipe:
Water was pouring out of all the taps.
a gas tap
on tap informal
available for use at any time:
With the internet, firms have all this information on tap.
US
ready or likely to happen at a future date:
Many investors are worried about what's on tap when the markets reopen tomorrow morning.
The company has about 115 new stores on tap for 2012.