Faucet vs. Tap — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 13, 2024
A faucet typically refers to a device for controlling the flow of water in American English, while a tap is the British English term for the same device, also used for accessing beverages like beer.
Difference Between Faucet and Tap
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Faucets are commonly used in American English to describe devices that control the flow of water from a pipe into a sink or basin. These are often found in kitchens and bathrooms. On the other hand, the term "tap" is predominantly used in British English for a similar device, highlighting a regional difference in terminology.
While faucets often feature a variety of designs, including single-handle or dual-handle for temperature control, taps may also refer to fixtures used for drawing off liquids like beer or gas. This indicates a broader usage of the term beyond just water control.
In the United States, "faucet" is widely recognized and used in both commercial and residential settings. Whereas, in the UK, "tap" is the preferred term, seamlessly fitting into conversations about plumbing and beverage dispensing alike.
Faucets often incorporate advanced technologies, such as touchless operation and water filtration systems, reflecting the American market's demand for innovation. Conversely, taps in the UK can range from traditional designs to modern fixtures with similar advanced features, emphasizing functionality and aesthetic preferences.
When discussing maintenance and parts, Americans refer to "faucet parts" like aerators and cartridges. Meanwhile, Britons use "tap parts" for washers, spindles, and valves, demonstrating the linguistic divide even in the realm of repair and upkeep.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Primarily American English
Primarily British English
Application
Controls water flow in kitchens and bathrooms
Used for water and dispensing beverages
Design Variations
Single-handle, dual-handle, touchless
Traditional, modern, including beverage taps
Technological Features
Often includes filtration systems, touchless operation
May also include modern features, but with a focus on traditional design
Terminology for Parts
Aerators, cartridges
Washers, spindles, valves
Compare with Definitions
Faucet
A device for controlling the flow of water from a pipe.
The kitchen faucet has a pull-down sprayer for easy dishwashing.
Tap
A device for controlling the release of liquids, especially water.
He turned on the tap to fill the kettle.
Faucet
Often designed with single or dual handles.
Their bathroom features a dual-handle faucet for precise temperature control.
Tap
May feature traditional or modern designs.
Their new kitchen tap blends seamlessly with the modern décor.
Faucet
Can include advanced features like touchless operation.
They installed a touchless faucet to reduce germ spread.
Tap
Used for both water control and beverage dispensing.
The bar installed a new beer tap.
Faucet
Requires specific parts for repair, such as aerators and cartridges.
Replacing the faucet's cartridge fixed the leak.
Tap
Primarily used in British English.
She asked the landlord to replace the faulty tap in the bathroom.
Faucet
Primarily used in American English.
The plumber recommended a new faucet for the kitchen sink.
Tap
Parts include washers, spindles, and valves for repairs.
Fixing the leaky tap required a new washer.
Faucet
A device for regulating the flow of a liquid from a reservoir such as a pipe or drum. See Note at andiron.
Tap
A device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled
She turned the cold tap on
The air-supply tap
Faucet
(North America) An exposed plumbing fitting; a tap or spigot; a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir.
Tap
A device connected to a telephone for listening secretly to someone's conversations
Those taps produced hundreds of hours of recordings
Faucet
(game development) One or several systems that inject currency into the game's economy, thus controlling or preventing inflation
Tap
An instrument for cutting a threaded hole in a material.
Faucet
A fixture for drawing a liquid, as water, molasses, oil, etc., from a pipe, cask, or other vessel, in such quantities as may be desired; - called also tap, and cock. It consists of a tubular spout, stopped with a movable plug, spigot, valve, or slide.
Tap
A taproom.
Faucet
The enlarged end of a section of pipe which receives the spigot end of the next section.
Tap
A quick light blow, or the sound of such a blow
There was a sharp tap at the door
Faucet
A regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir
Tap
Tap dancing
A rhythm much used in tap
Tap
A bugle call for lights to be put out in army quarters
The bugler played taps
Tap
Draw liquid through the tap or spout of (a cask, barrel, or other container)
Several barrels had been tapped to celebrate old victories
Tap
Exploit or draw a supply from (a resource)
Clients from industry seeking to tap Edinburgh's resources of expertise
These magazines have tapped into a target market of consumers
Tap
Connect a device to (a telephone) so that conversation can be listened to secretly
The telephones were tapped by the state security police
Tap
Cut a thread in (something) to accept a screw
On most vices, the metal jaws are drilled and tapped to accept screws
Tap
Strike with a quick light blow or blows
One of my staff tapped me on the shoulder
Tap
Approach (a sports player) unlawfully with a view to signing them to another club while they are still under contract with their current one.
Tap
Designate or select (someone) for a task or honour, especially membership of an organization or committee
He had been tapped earlier to serve in Costa Rica
Tap
To strike gently with a light blow or blows
I tapped you on the shoulder to get your attention.
Tap
To give a light rap with
Tap a pencil.
Tap
To produce with a succession of light blows
Tap out a rhythm.
Tap
To select, as for membership in an organization; designate.
Tap
To repair (shoe heels or toes) by applying a thin layer of leather or a substitute material.
Tap
To attach metal plates to (shoe toes or heels).
Tap
To deliver a gentle, light blow or blows.
Tap
To walk making light clicks.
Tap
To tap-dance.
Tap
To furnish with a spigot or tap.
Tap
To pierce in order to draw off liquid
Tap a maple tree.
Tap
To draw (liquid) from a vessel or container
Tap a new keg of beer.
Tap
(Medicine) To withdraw fluid from (a body cavity).
Tap
To make a physical connection with or open outlets from
Tap a water main.
Tap
To wiretap (a telephone or communications channel).
Tap
To establish an electric connection in (a power line), as to divert current secretly.
Tap
To establish access to or a connection with
Tapped a new market for inexpensive books.
Tap
To take advantage of; make use of
Tapped voter anger to win the election.
Tap
To cut screw threads in (a collar, socket, or other fitting).
Tap
(Informal) To ask (a person) for money.
Tap
A gentle blow.
Tap
The sound made by such a blow.
Tap
A thin layer of leather or a substitute applied to a worn-down shoe heel or toe.
Tap
A metal plate attached to the toe or heel of a shoe, as for tap-dancing.
Tap
Tap dance.
Tap
(Linguistics) See flap.
Tap
A valve and spout used to regulate delivery of a fluid at the end of a pipe.
Tap
A plug for a bunghole; a spigot.
Tap
Liquor drawn from a spigot.
Tap
Liquor of a particular brew, cask, or quality.
Tap
(Medicine) The removal of fluid from a body cavity
A spinal tap.
Tap
A tool for cutting an internal screw thread.
Tap
A makeshift terminal in an electric circuit.
Tap
A wiretap.
Tap
A tapering cylindrical pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask.
Tap
A device used to dispense liquids.
We don't have bottled water; you'll have to get it from the tap.
Tap
Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor.
A liquor of the same tap
Tap
A place where liquor is drawn for drinking.
Tap
(mechanics) A device used to cut an internal screw thread. (External screw threads are cut with a die.)
We drilled a hole and then cut the threads with the proper tap to match the valve's thread.
Tap
A connection made to an electrical or fluid conductor without breaking it.
The system was barely keeping pressure due to all of the ill-advised taps along its length.
Tap
An interception of communication by authority.
Tap
A device used to listen in secretly on telephone calls.
Tap
A procedure that removes fluid from a body cavity.
Abdominal tap
Pleural tap
Spinal tap
Tap
(finance) The situation where a borrowing government authority issues bonds over a period of time, usually at a fixed price, with volumes sold on a particular day dependent on market conditions.
Tap issue; a bond tap
Tap
A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.
When Steve felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned around.
Tap
(dance) tap dance
Tap
The act of touching a touch screen.
Tap
A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.
Tap
(military) A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed; usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.
Tap
(phonetics) A consonant sound made by a single muscle contraction, such as the sound [
Tap
An Indian malarial fever.
Tap
To furnish with taps.
If we tap the maple trees, we can get maple syrup!
Tap
To draw off liquid from a vessel.
He tapped a new barrel of beer.
Tap
To deplete, especially of a liquid via a tap; to tap out.
Tap
To exploit.
Businesses are trying to tap the youth market.
Tap
To place a listening or recording device on a telephone or wired connection.
They can't tap the phone without a warrant.
Tap
To intercept a communication without authority.
He was known to tap cable television.
Tap
(mechanical) To cut an internal screw thread.
Tap an M3 thread all the way through the hole.
Tap
To turn or flip a card or playing piece to remind players that it has already been used that turn (by analogy to "tapping," in the sense of drawing on to the point of temporary exhaustion, the resources or abilities represented by the card).
Tap
(informal) To cadge, borrow or beg.
I tried to tap a cigarette off him, but he wouldn't give me one.
Tap
To drain off fluid by paracentesis.
Tap
To advance someone for a post or job, or for membership of a club.
Trump interviewed Mueller for FBI job day before he was tapped for special counsel.
Tap
To strike lightly.
She tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
Tap
To touch one's finger, foot, or other body parts on a surface (usually) repeatedly.
He was so nervous he began to tap his fingers on the table.
She tapped her companion on the back to indicate that she was ready to go.
Lydia tapped Jim on the shoulder to get his attention.
Tap
To make a sharp noise.
The tree, swaying in the breeze, began to tap on the window pane.
Tap
(graphical user interface) To operate an electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) by tapping a specific place on its (capacitive or other) touch screen.
Tap
To designate for some duty or for membership, as in 'a tap on the shoulder'.
Tap
(combat sports) To submit to an opponent by tapping one's hand repeatedly.
Tap
To force (an opponent) to submit.
Tap
To put a new sole or heel on.
To tap shoes
Tap
To strike with a slight or gentle blow; to touch gently; to rap lightly; to pat; as, to tap one with the hand or a cane.
Tap
To put a new sole or heel on; as, to tap shoes.
Tap
To strike a gentle blow.
Tap
To pierce so as to let out, or draw off, a fluid; as, to tap a cask, a tree, a tumor, a keg of beer, etc.
Tap
Hence, to draw resources from (a reservoir) in any analogous way; as, to tap someone's knowledge of the Unix system; to tap the treasury.
Tap
To draw, or cause to flow, by piercing.
He has been tapping his liquors.
Tap
To form an internal screw in (anything) by means of a tool called a tap; as, to tap a nut, a pipe, or tubing.
Tap
To connect a listening device to (a telephone or telegraph line) secretly, for the purpose of hearing private conversations; also, to obtain or record (information) by tapping; - a technique used by law enforcement agencies investigating suspected criminals. In the United States it is illegal without a court order permitting it.
Tap
A gentle or slight blow; a light rap; a pat.
Tap
A piece of leather fastened upon the bottom of a boot or shoe in repairing or renewing the sole or heel.
Tap
A signal, by drum or trumpet, for extinguishing all lights in soldiers' quarters and retiring to bed, - usually given about a quarter of an hour after tattoo.
Tap
A hole or pipe through which liquor is drawn.
Tap
A plug or spile for stopping a hole pierced in a cask, or the like; a faucet.
Tap
Liquor drawn through a tap; hence, a certain kind or quality of liquor; as, a liquor of the same tap.
Tap
A place where liquor is drawn for drinking; a taproom; a bar.
Tap
A tool for forming an internal screw, as in a nut, consisting of a hardened steel male screw grooved longitudinally so as to have cutting edges.
Tap
The sound made by a gentle blow
Tap
A faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask
Tap
A gentle blow
Tap
A small metal plate that attaches to the toe or heel of a shoe (as in tap dancing)
Tap
A tool for cutting female (internal) screw threads
Tap
A plug for a bunghole in a cask
Tap
The act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information
Tap
A light touch or stroke
Tap
Cut a female screw thread with a tap
Tap
Draw from or dip into to get something;
Tap one's memory
Tap a source of money
Tap
Strike lightly;
He tapped me on the shoulder
Tap
Draw from; make good use of;
We must exploit the resources we are given wisely
Tap
Tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information;
The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
Is this hotel room bugged?
Tap
Furnish with a tap or spout, so as to be able to draw liquid from it;
Tap a cask of wine
Tap
Make light, repeated taps on a surface;
He was tapping his fingers on the table impatiently
Tap
Walk with a tapping sound
Tap
Dance and make rhythmic clicking sounds by means of metal plates nailed to the sole of the dance shoes;
Glover tapdances better than anybody
Tap
Draw (liquor) from a tap;
Tap beer in a bar
Tap
Pierce in order to draw a liquid from;
Tap a maple tree for its syrup
Tap a keg of beer
Tap
Make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently;
Henry IV solicited the Pope for a divorce
My neighbor keeps soliciting money for different charities
Common Curiosities
What is a tap?
A tap refers to a similar device in British English, also used for beverage dispensing.
What's the main difference between a faucet and a tap?
The main difference lies in regional usage; "faucet" is American English, while "tap" is British English.
What is a faucet?
A faucet is a device for controlling the flow of water in American English.
Do faucets and taps have different designs?
Both can range from traditional to modern designs, but faucets often feature more advanced technologies.
Can you get a touchless tap?
Yes, modern taps can include features like touchless operation, similar to faucets.
Are faucets and taps the same thing?
Yes, they are functionally the same but differ in regional terminology.
Can a tap be used for beer?
Yes, taps can also refer to devices for dispensing beer or other beverages.
Is it correct to use "faucet" in the UK?
While understood, "tap" is the preferred term in British English.
Can faucets filter water?
Many modern faucets include built-in water filtration systems.
What are common faucet materials?
Faucets are commonly made from materials like stainless steel, brass, and chrome.
Is "tap" used in the US?
"Tap" can be used, especially when referring to a beer tap, but "faucet" is more common for water control.
Are faucet parts the same as tap parts?
The parts serve similar functions but may differ in name and design between regions.
How do you fix a dripping tap?
Repairing a dripping tap often requires replacing the washer or spindle.
How do you fix a dripping faucet?
Fixing a dripping faucet typically involves replacing parts like the cartridge or aerator.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
