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
Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Lawrence, who did not do an interview with the local media in the spring, is a star at defensive tackle.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Nikhil Jain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The three-in-one machine will tackle the usual suspects, dust and particles, but also remove formaldehyde with a carbon filter (which can be found in some carpets and furniture and cause eyes and throat irritation).
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
Additionally, tight end Austin Hooper, wideout Mack Hollins, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and linebacker Jahlani Tavai now reside on the physically unable to perform list.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Lawrence, who did not do an interview with the local media in the spring, is a star at defensive tackle.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
Verb
Samsung, meanwhile, is turning its SmartThings platform into a commercial-grade automation system with SmartThings Pro, tackling energy control, HVAC and appliance integration at scale.
—Nikhil Jain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The three-in-one machine will tackle the usual suspects, dust and particles, but also remove formaldehyde with a carbon filter (which can be found in some carpets and furniture and cause eyes and throat irritation).
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 July 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 23 Jul. 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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