tactical

[tak-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to tactics, especially the placement of military or naval forces in battle or at the front line of a battle.

2. characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure, especially of military or naval forces.

   tactical movements.

3. (of a weapon) short range, as battlefield missiles.

   A tactical nuclear weapon would still present significant risks to battlefield troops on both sides of the conflict.

4. of or relating to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.

5. expedient; calculated.

6. prudent; politic.

tactical

/ ˈtæktɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or employing tactics

   a tactical error

2. (of weapons, attacks, etc) used in or supporting limited military operations

   a tactical missile

   tactical bombing

3. skilful or diplomatic

   a tactical manoeuvre

Other Word Forms

• tactically adverb
• nontactical adjective
• nontactically adverb
• untactical adjective
• untactically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tactical¹

First recorded in 1560–70; tactic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

In this article, we analyse tactical ideas Premier League teams are using that resemble the trends seen in the NFL.

From BBC

Birthday dinners are a tactical operation: you order the dip, I’ll handle the macaroni and cheese balls, you grab the sliders.

From Salon

Potter's strength as a coach was always organisation and tactical discipline, yet he even looked lost in this context at West Ham, especially at set-pieces.

From BBC

Breaking format, the TV crew drove to the man’s home with the sheriff and a tactical squad.

From Los Angeles Times

Questions can be raised about his tactical decisions, but Martin has found relative success with this approach at points throughout his career.

From BBC

Related Words

• diplomatic