Turkish tap

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A type of faucet in which a lever or knob on top is pushed down or lifted to start and stop the flow.

   Grammar: Countable: say a Turkish tap or two Turkish taps when you mean more than one.

   Patterns

   • a Turkish tap
   • fit a Turkish tap
   • turn a Turkish tap on

   The plumber suggested fitting a Turkish tap so the children could wash their hands with one push.

   Our old Turkish tap kept dripping, so we replaced the washer inside it.

   She pressed the Turkish tap and water ran until she released it.

2. 2nouncountable

   A tap shaped like a small vertical column with a push-button or lever at the top, common in public washrooms.

   Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural when talking about a row of them: the Turkish taps along the wall.

   Patterns

   • a row of Turkish taps
   • public Turkish taps
   • a Turkish tap in the washroom

   The washroom had three Turkish taps that shut off automatically after a few seconds.

   Public Turkish taps are meant to save water in busy stations.

   One of the Turkish taps was stuck, so the water would not stop.

Word forms

Common combinations

a dripping Turkish tap

A dripping Turkish tap kept us awake all night.

fit a Turkish tap

They decided to fit a Turkish tap in the new bathroom.

press a Turkish tap

Press the Turkish tap and hold it for a moment.

replace a Turkish tap

We had to replace a Turkish tap after it cracked.

Synonyms and how they differ

push tap

A general name for any tap you press; it is broader and does not mention the Turkish style.

pillar tap

A pillar tap has a separate spout and handle, while a Turkish tap has the control on top.

faucet

The usual American word for a tap of any kind, including this one.

Word family

tap noun

A device that controls the flow of water from a pipe.

tap verb

To open a tap or make a hole so liquid can flow out.

Commonly confused: Turkish tap or Turkish bath?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “Turkish tap”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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