tackle

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

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

Corbett was a tackle in college, but should move inside in the NFL.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "NFL draft preview: Detroit Lions could get backup OL help with deep class," 22 Apr. 2018
If that leads to them taking a right tackle over a wide receiver this year, as fans groan and boo, so be it.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Stakes are high for Ravens as Ozzie Newsome prepares to run his last draft as GM," 20 Apr. 2018
The two clubs are fierce rivals, with both giants of the Turkish game, and the atmosphere was intense as former Real Madrid defender Pepe was sent off for a reckless tackle.

— SI.com, "Fenerbahce's Cup Match Against Besiktas Abandoned After Manager Suffers Head Cut From Thrown Object," 19 Apr. 2018
He wasn’t booked, only conceded one foul and had two solid tackles in his 61 minutes of play.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Cristian Higuita delivers strong performance for Orlando City," 14 Apr. 2018
In a recent practice, the linebacker’s left hand hyperextended on a routine tackle.

— carter karels, San Antonio Express-News, "Jesus, football, hair and children: Tauaefa’s personality influencing locals," 13 Apr. 2018
Quarterbacks were held from live contact in the scrimmage, but even with coaches blowing plays dead when a defender neared the vicinity of a tackle, Wilson was able to show off his running ability a couple times.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "No end in sign to Kentucky quarterback competition, and other spring game takeaways," 13 Apr. 2018
Both redshirt-freshmen have much work to do though and whether Auburn will start a tackle with no game experience or ultimately pursue a graduate transfer remains to be seen.

— james crepea, AL.com, "5 questions facing Auburn's offense after spring practice," 12 Apr. 2018
Williams could be a right tackle or guard for the Colts.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "2018 NFL Draft: Do the Colts go with Barkley, Chubb or Nelson?," 12 Apr. 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

Calderon started to walk away, so Lopez ran and tackled him from behind.

— hannah leone, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora man killed in shootout with police had complicated history," 11 Apr. 2018
Last year, David Shulkin, the recently fired VA secretary, declared that the VA would take steps to tackle the problem.

— bill lambrecht, San Antonio Express-News, "Congress forces the VA to offer mental health screenings," 10 Apr. 2018
There’s an emerging consensus that domestic violence often precedes mass shootings and terrorism, which suggests that one way to tackle these problems is to have stronger programs to combat domestic violence.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Noor Salman’s acquittal is a victory for domestic violence victims.," 31 Mar. 2018
The two-episode, one-hour premiere saw the Conners tackling various topics, including politics.

— tamara fuentes, Good Housekeeping, "Last Night's "Roseanne" Revival Gets Mixed Reviews From Fans," 28 Mar. 2018
The additional hookups and debt service fee revenue have covered the city’s debt obligations and provided an additional $564,200 which Martin is proposing to use to start tackling replacement of the city’s aging water lines.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Mayor proposes $16.3 million budget that includes investment in downtown, water rate increase, elimination of debt service fee," 22 Mar. 2018
Various radical solutions have already been proposed to tackle this problem.

— aristos georgiou, Newsweek, "Scientists Are Planning to Stop Hurricanes in Their Tracks by Blowing Air Bubbles into the Sea," 21 Mar. 2018
In 2018, Sasha plans to launch the second book in the Sasha Savvy series and will continue on her journey to spread the message that girls—especially girls of color—can tackle any dream.

— the root staff, The Root, "Young Futurists 2018: These Are the Leaders This Country So Desperately Needs," 19 Mar. 2018
Following a 2016 crash in Commerce, the LAPD and CHP formed a task force to tackle the problem of illicit racing.

— nicole santa cruz, www.latimes.com, "17 years. 179 victims. The deadly toll of street racing in Los Angeles," 16 Mar. 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)