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
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
Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Larry Borom, filling in for Austin Jackson at right tackle, was rated Miami’s worst run blocker and permitted two sacks.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
On fourth down, Chargers quarterback Corin Berry evaded multiple Corona del Mar tacklers and scrambled for positive yardage, but was tackled short of the first down by Scott Anderson to give the Sea Kings the ball to close out the game.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
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Noun
Daniels stayed in for the remainder of the game, but came up hobbling after some of his subsequent scrambles, including one that appeared to be a hip-drop tackle (it was not penalized in the game) by Kingsley Enagbare.
—Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Larry Borom, filling in for Austin Jackson at right tackle, was rated Miami’s worst run blocker and permitted two sacks.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Rueben Bain and Chase Smith tackled him 2 yards short of the line to gain.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
On fourth down, Chargers quarterback Corin Berry evaded multiple Corona del Mar tacklers and scrambled for positive yardage, but was tackled short of the first down by Scott Anderson to give the Sea Kings the ball to close out the game.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
Cite this Entry
“Tackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tackle. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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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