tackle

noun tack·le \ ˈta-kəl , naut often ˈtā- \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: tackle in a Sentence

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

See tackle defined for English-language learners

See tackle defined for kids

Examples of tackle in a Sentence

a box for fishing tackle
He made two tackles in the first half.

Recent Examples of tackle from the Web

Berg had another opportunity but was denied by another superb last-ditch tackle by Kim.

— SI.com, "Sweden 1-0 South Korea: Dream Start for Swedes as Granqvist Penalty Breaks Koreans' Resistance," 18 June 2018
Plus, this year's starting O-line will include two seniors in left tackle Alex Bars and center Sam Mustipher.

— laken litman, Indianapolis Star, "Notre Dame football is on a recruiting hot streak, adds four commits in less than a week," 18 June 2018
Another Chance for Morocco but No Goal Another chippy tackle leads to a Morocco free kick.

— victor mather, New York Times, "After Morocco Own Goal, Iran Wins World Cup Slugfest," 16 June 2018
Former San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Keith Fahnhorst passed away on Tuesday, the team announced Thursday.

— james reineking, USA TODAY, "Keith Fahnhorst, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, dies at 66," 15 June 2018
From tackle to how to fish certain local spots in Tennessee, learn mechanical aspects of bass fishing that will help you become a better fisherman.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pro Fishing Seminar on July 10th," 14 June 2018
On Sunday evening, Crystal Lake (Ill.) 4-star offensive tackle Trevor Keegan released a final group of six schools that included rivals Michigan and Ohio State along with Big Ten foe Penn State and southern powers Alabama, Clemson and Georgia.

— steve lorenz, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football recruiting: OL Trevor Keegan may choose from U-M, OSU," 11 June 2018
The ambitious show featuring an entirely Latinx cast tackles issues of identity, culture and sexuality.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "All the New TV Shows You Need to Watch This Summer," 6 May 2018
Just three years ago, Flowers ranked among the state's elite football prospects while at Vigor High near Mobile and enrolled early at Alabama in the same class with defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne, a first-round pick in last week's NFL draft.

— josh bean, AL.com, "What happened to Alabama RB Desherrius Flowers? He's still playing football," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tackle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of tackle

Origin and Etymology of tackle

Middle English takel; akin to Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

tackle Synonyms

Synonyms

accoutrements (or accouterments), apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, material(s), matériel (or materiel), outfit, paraphernalia, stuff;

baggage, belongings, impedimenta;

appliances, facilities, instruments, machinery, tools;

apparel, attire, habiliments, raiment, trappings;

armamentarium, armory, arsenal, battery;

assets, resources;

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

tackle

verb

tackled; tackling play \ˈta-k(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to tackle an opposing player in football

—

tackler

play \ˈta-k(ə-)lər\ noun

See tackle defined for English-language learners

Examples of tackle in a Sentence

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 of tackle from the Web

Rene Boucher was sentenced to 30 days in jail last week for tackling the Kentucky senator, knocking him off his lawn-mower and breaking his ribs last year.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Rand Paul's attacker got 30 days in jail. Was that enough?," 18 June 2018
Cuomo shredded through his power chords with a big grin on his face and decimated an awesome guitar solo before tackling the final chorus.

— mackenzie cummings-grady, Billboard, "Weezer Performs Viral Hit 'Africa' On 'Jimmy Kimmel' With Cameo From Toto's Steve Porcaro: Watch," 13 June 2018
The tax was proposed as a progressive revenue source aimed at tackling one of the nation's highest homelessness numbers, a problem that hasn't eased even as city spending grew.

— CBS News, "Seattle repeals tax on large businesses such as Amazon, Starbucks aimed at combating homelessness," 12 June 2018
The tax was proposed as a progressive revenue source aimed at tackling one of the nation's highest homelessness numbers, a problem that hasn't eased even as city spending grew.

— phuong lee, chicagotribune.com, "Seattle divided as leaders halt tax on companies like Amazon," 12 June 2018
The Ellyn Satter Institute has straightforward advice on tackling even these deep-seated preferences.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Picky, picky: Strategies to get your kids (or yourself) to try new foods," 11 June 2018
Ms Brock had hoped that any measures would be aimed at tackling Chinese subsidies and overcapacity.

— The Economist, "President Trump’s tariffs have united his opponents at home and abroad," 7 June 2018
Science teacher Jason Seaman has been hailed for tackling the shooter who seriously wounded 13-year-old Ella Whistler.

— rick callahan, Post-Tribune, "Noblesville students return to class five days after school shooting," 30 May 2018
And there's no doubt that Patricia will put a heavy emphasis on tackling.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions' new defense as versatile as advertised at OTAs," 24 May 2018

First Known Use of tackle

1600

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

tackle Synonyms

Phrases

go at, have at, light into, pitch into, sail into, tear into;

TACKLE Defined for English Language Learners

tackle

verb

: to forcefully seize (someone) and cause that person to fall to the ground
American football or rugby : to force (the player with the ball) to fall to the ground
soccer, field hockey, etc. : to try to get the ball from (an opposing player who has it)