tackle

[ tak-uhl tey-kuhl ]

noun

1. equipment, apparatus, or gear, especially for fishing:

   fishing tackle.

2. a mechanism or apparatus, as a rope and block or a combination of ropes and blocks, for hoisting, lowering, and shifting objects or materials; purchase.
3. any system of leverage using several pulleys.
4. Nautical. the gear and running rigging for handling a ship or performing some task on a ship.
5. an act of tackling, as in football; a seizing, grasping, or bringing down.
6. Football.
   1. either of the linemen stationed between a guard and an end.
   2. the position played by this lineman.
7. (formerly) tack ¹( def 8 ).

verb (used with object)

, tack·led, tack·ling.

1. to undertake to handle, master, solve, etc.:

   to tackle a difficult problem.

2. to deal with (a person) on some problem, issue, etc.
3. to harness (a horse).
4. Football. to seize, stop, or throw down (a ball-carrier).
5. Soccer, Field Hockey. to block or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent having the ball) with the result of depriving the opponent of the ball.
6. to seize suddenly, especially in order to stop.

verb (used without object)

, tack·led, tack·ling.

1. Football. to tackle an opponent having the ball.

tackle

/ ˈteɪkəl; ˈtækəl /

noun

1. any mechanical system for lifting or pulling, esp an arrangement of ropes and pulleys designed to lift heavy weights
2. the equipment required for a particular occupation, etc

   fishing tackle

3. nautical the halyards and other running rigging aboard a vessel
4. slang.
   a man's genitals
5. sport a physical challenge to an opponent, as to prevent his progress with the ball
6. American football a defensive lineman

verb

1. tr to undertake (a task, problem, etc)
2. tr to confront (a person, esp an opponent) with a difficult proposition
3. sport (esp in football games) to challenge (an opponent) with a tackle

Derived Forms

• ˈtackler, noun

Other Words From

• tackler noun
• re·tackle verb (used with object) retackled retackling

Word History and Origins

Origin of tackle¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English takel “gear, apparatus,” from Middle Low German; akin to take

Word History and Origins

Origin of tackle¹

C13: related to Middle Low German takel ship's rigging, Middle Dutch taken to take

Example Sentences

The month-long campaign calls on people to tackle the environmental pollution caused by the fashion industry by buying previously used items.

From BBC

Even the most patriotic Welsh fan will expect that sequence to extend to 12 on Saturday when they tackle the double world champions.

From BBC

The prime minister also tackled the issue of small boat crossings.

From BBC

So what would it mean for the global effort to tackle climate change if it does step to the fore, just as the US steps back?

From BBC

Veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein could return from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for two games, further strengthening a line that gave up no sacks against the Patriots.

From Los Angeles Times