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.

verb (used with object)

tackled, tackling 

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)

tackled, tackling 

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

Other Word Forms

• tackler noun
• retackle verb (used with object)

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 neutral-site opener in São Paulo, Brazil, adds some unpredictability, but the Chiefs still get the edge if their left tackle is healthy.

From Los Angeles Times

Their defense managed no sacks and just two tackles for loss.

From Los Angeles Times

The department said there was an ongoing review aimed at tackling poor culture and behaviours within the Belfast Trust.

From BBC

Lyons added that the responsibility for tackling it was not on politicians alone, but for society as a whole.

From BBC

Slater’s place at left tackle will be taken by Alt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• begin 
• deal with 
• engage in www.thesaurus.com
• take on 
• try 
• undertake 
• work on