a small piece of paper, cloth, metal, etc. that sticks out from the edge of something, and that is used to give information about it, or to hold it, fasten it, etc. 标签；签条；突耳；凸舌 - (also tab stop)
a fixed position in a line of a document that you are typing that shows where a piece of text or a column of figures, etc. will begin 付账 Use the tab key to insert a tab at the beginning of the line. 使用tab键在行首插入一个制表符。
- (also pull tab (both North American English), British English ring pull)
a small piece of metal with a ring attached which is pulled to open cans of food, drink, etc. 药片，药丸（指毒品） a bill for goods you receive but pay for later, especially for food or drinks in a restaurant or bar; the price or cost of something （待付的）账单，账款；（尤指）餐饮账单；费用 a bar tab 酒吧账单 Can I put it on my tab? 我可以记账吗？ The tab for the meeting could be $3 000. 这次会议的费用可能达 3 000 美元。 Who is going to pick up the tab (= pay) for the legal expenses? 谁来支付诉讼费？ He walked out of the restaurant and left me to pick up the tab for the whole meal. 他走出餐馆，丢下我为整顿饭买单。
- (informal)
a small solid piece of an illegal drug 药片，药丸（指毒品） a tab of Ecstasy 一粒摇头丸
- (also tablature)[uncountable, countable]
a way of representing musical notes on paper by showing the position of the fingers on a musical instrument rather than the actual notes; an example of this 符号记谱法，奏法记谱法（标明演奏者的手指位置） guitar tabs 吉他奏法乐谱
Word Originnoun senses 1 to 4 late Middle English: perhaps related to the verb tag. noun sense 5 1960s: abbreviation.
Idioms
keep (close) tabs on somebody/something
pick up the bill, tab, etc. (for something)