Illustration of tackle
- tackle 2b
1
: a set of the equipment used in a particular activity : gear
fishing tackle
2
a
: a ship's rigging
b
: an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling
3
a
: the act or an instance of tackling
b(1)
: either of two offensive football players positioned on each side of the center and between guard and end
(2)
: either of two football players positioned on the inside of a defensive line
tackled; tackling
ˈta-k(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to seize, take hold of, or grapple with especially with the intention of stopping or subduing
b
: to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player with the ball) in football
2
: to set about dealing with
tackle the problem
3
: to attach or secure with or as if with tackle
: to tackle an opposing player in football
Synonyms
Examples of tackle in a Sentence
Noun
a box for fishing tackle
He made two tackles in the first half.
Verb
The police officer tackled him as he tried to escape.
He was tackled at the line of scrimmage.
I'll tackle my homework later.
We found new ways to tackle the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Freshman cornerback Khai Taylor also finished with three tackles.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2024
Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks in 12 games and 10 starts for the Spartans last season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Shelton had 56 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and an interception as a sophomore on South Oak Cliff’s second consecutive Texas 5A D-II state championship.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
The 6-foot-4, 289-pound defensive lineman led the Commodores in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (5.5) with 30 tackles while starting 12 games last season.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Offensive tackles who are tall, or ones with an elite three-cone time?
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Advertisement In recent practices, converted defensive tackle Devin Aupiu and Navy transfer Jacob Busic have been the first-team edge rushers.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Saints could take a defensive end here, but the run on offensive tackles continues.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
For instance, Republican lawmakers have suggested tackling the climate crisis by planting a trillion trees.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Hundreds of Golden Retrievers Gather to Honor and Celebrate Spencer, the Boston Marathon Dog
In the meantime, Deba, now a mom of two, tells the Wall Street Journal that she’s started training again, and hopes to tackle Boston once the B.A.A. awards her the missing prize money.
—Danielle Jennings, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Ease of Use: Some wipes do not come out of the package well, which is more than inconvenient when tackling a messy diaper change.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court tackles the case next week. GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Just past the outfield fence of the local little league ballpark, homeless residents of this sleepy Oregon town erect tents to spend the night protected from cold and rain.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Some of the steps that Eli Lilly is planning to tackle demand, like building a new plant, will take months.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Great Indy Cleanup at Crown Hill, 9 a.m. at 767 W 32nd St.: Help tackle litter at this large focus cleanup event.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Over the last few months, our diverse group of testers (including new parents tackling baby messes; New Yorkers cramped in tiny apartments; and pet owners managing smelly surprises from their furry friends) put 124 items through the wringer.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Utah transfer linebacker Owen Chambliss, a standout throughout camp, was among five others with four tackles.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Freshman cornerback Khai Taylor also finished with three tackles.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2024
Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks in 12 games and 10 starts for the Spartans last season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Shelton had 56 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and an interception as a sophomore on South Oak Cliff’s second consecutive Texas 5A D-II state championship.
—Richard Davenport, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
The 6-foot-4, 289-pound defensive lineman led the Commodores in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (5.5) with 30 tackles while starting 12 games last season.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Offensive tackles who are tall, or ones with an elite three-cone time?
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Advertisement In recent practices, converted defensive tackle Devin Aupiu and Navy transfer Jacob Busic have been the first-team edge rushers.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Saints could take a defensive end here, but the run on offensive tackles continues.
—Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2024
Verb
Federal programs poured money into Garfield in the 1990s to build affordable housing, fill empty lots and tackle crime.
—Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
For instance, Republican lawmakers have suggested tackling the climate crisis by planting a trillion trees.
—TIME, 22 Apr. 2024
Hundreds of Golden Retrievers Gather to Honor and Celebrate Spencer, the Boston Marathon Dog
In the meantime, Deba, now a mom of two, tells the Wall Street Journal that she’s started training again, and hopes to tackle Boston once the B.A.A. awards her the missing prize money.
—Danielle Jennings, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Ease of Use: Some wipes do not come out of the package well, which is more than inconvenient when tackling a messy diaper change.
—Bridget Shirvell, Parents, 18 Apr. 2024
The Supreme Court tackles the case next week. GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Just past the outfield fence of the local little league ballpark, homeless residents of this sleepy Oregon town erect tents to spend the night protected from cold and rain.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Some of the steps that Eli Lilly is planning to tackle demand, like building a new plant, will take months.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Great Indy Cleanup at Crown Hill, 9 a.m. at 767 W 32nd St.: Help tackle litter at this large focus cleanup event.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Over the last few months, our diverse group of testers (including new parents tackling baby messes; New Yorkers cramped in tiny apartments; and pet owners managing smelly surprises from their furry friends) put 124 items through the wringer.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tackle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tackle
Cite this Entry
“Tackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tackle. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: a set of special equipment : gear
fishing tackle
2
: an arrangement of ropes and wheels for hoisting or pulling something heavy
3
a
: the act or an instance of tackling
b
: a football player who is positioned on the line of scrimmage and inside the ends
tackle
2 of 2 verb
tackled; tackling
ˈtak-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to seize or take hold of especially in order to stop or throw down
2
: to set about dealing with
tackle a problem
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