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Definition: tap


(1) In communications, a connecting point on a line. For example, a wire tap is where a recording device is attached to a telephone line. See transceiver and bridged tap.

(2) (Amazon TAP) An Amazon Echo device. See Amazon Echo.

(3) To lightly touch a touch-sensitive screen. See double tap for more details.

(4) To press a key on a keypad.

(6) (TAP) (Telocator Alphanumeric Input Protocol) A protocol for transmitting text to a pager. Developed in the early 1980s, TAP was known as the Motorola Page Entry (PET) and IXO protocols and was adopted by Telocator, which later became the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA),

(5) To place a chip-based credit card near a terminal. See NFC and EMV.




The Chip Card Logo
This payment terminal screen shows a credit card being tapped to make a payment via NFC contactless communications.