tackle

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

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Examples: tackle in a Sentence

Definition of tackle

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

France’s true standout on Tuesday was industrious veteran midfielder Blaise Matuidi, born in Toulouse to Angolan and Congolese parents, who battled through bruising tackles and a possible concussion to stymie Belgium’s attack.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "The World Cup is a victory for the immigrant dream," 12 July 2018
Rucker earned a scholarship to Eastern Michigan, where the 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive tackle was expected to make an impact.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Disabato: Harvey native Keith Rucker 'about giving back and paying it forward' with youth football camp," 10 July 2018
He was tied for third in the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss.

— greg moore, azcentral, "Former ASU football star Antonio Longino refuses to give up on dreams," 30 June 2018
During a slide tackle, arriving to the ball a split-second sooner can mean the difference between a clean steal and a foul (not to mention a jarring collision with an opponent).

— daniel ackerman, Scientific American, "Avoiding the “Bobblehead Effect”: Strength Training Could Help Soccer Players," 29 June 2018
Wake earned his second Pro Bowl nomination last season after leading the Dolphins with 122 tackles while adding a pair of interceptions and five pass deflections.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Meet the lone Miami Dolphin ranked among the NFL's top 100 players," 26 June 2018
He was credited with 88 tackles and 2 sacks in 10 games.

— glynn a. hill, Houston Chronicle, "Rice football adds three transfers," 25 June 2018
Jamerson spent most of his final college season at safety, and statistically, that was his most productive year for the Badgers with 51 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.

— amos morale iii, NOLA.com, "Rookie Natrell Jamerson adjusting to playing cornerback in Saints defense," 1 June 2018
Fortunately, the department offers online regulations as well as free regulation books available at most tackle shops, gas stations and sporting goods stores.

— matt tunseth, Anchorage Daily News, "What to know before you go fishing in Southcentral Alaska," 25 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

Definition of tackle

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

There’s also the Presidential Innovation Fellows, or PIFs, so that’s more like a single person parachutes in and tackles a hard problem.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Matt Cutts of the U.S. Digital Service on Recode Decode," 12 July 2018
McGowan entered service at the Beltline in September and was tasked with tackling the housing affordability problem that’s developed in neighborhoods near the trail network.

— j. scott trubey, ajc, "Beltline CEO McGowan said to be taking on new job in Seattle," 5 July 2018
Leaders must choose not to exploit that belief and instead do the messy work of tackling solvable problems with any willing ally – even if doing so is not immediately rewarded.

— charlotteobserver, "Ashley Christensen," 3 July 2018
And even the conservative newspaper Kayhan, a reliable voice of hard-liners, is calling for internal unity to best tackle Iran’s problems.

— scott peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Iran protests: why Rouhani's foes are backing off their hard line," 2 July 2018
Stores can also work with law enforcement, social service agencies and addiction services to tackle the problem — a step that Hayes, at the loss prevention council, said retailers are looking to take.

— Fox News, "Retailers experiment with blue lights to deter drug use," 25 June 2018
So Vowels applied for and was awarded a $400,000 state grant to tackle the problem.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "Should JCPS pay teachers more if they work in low-performing schools?," 23 June 2018
Others, who thought racial bias was a serious issue that needed to be tackled, thought the principal wasn't doing enough.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Education / Crime Distinguished CPS principal resigns after threats, controversy over anti-police speaker," 19 June 2018
While regulatory action seems unlikely to happen anytime soon at the federal level, several efforts are underway to figure out how to tackle the problem.

— brooke borel, Scientific American, "Weeds Are Winning the War against Herbicide Resistance," 18 June 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

Definition of tackle for English Language Learners

: 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)