tactics

American  

[tak-tiks] / ˈtæk tɪks /

noun

1. (usually used with a singular verb) the art or science of disposing military or naval forces for battle and maneuvering them in battle.

2. (used with a plural verb) the maneuvers themselves.

3. (used with a singular verb) any mode of procedure for gaining advantage or success.

4. (usually used with a singular verb)

   1. the patterns in which the elements of a given level or stratum in a language may combine to form larger constructions.

   2. the study and description of such patterns.

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tactics British  

/ ˈtæktɪks /

plural noun

1. (functioning as singular) military the art and science of the detailed direction and control of movement or manoeuvre of forces in battle to achieve an aim or task

2. the manoeuvres used or plans followed to achieve a particular short-term aim

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Related Words

See strategy.

Other Word Forms

• countertactics
  noun
• tactician
  noun

Etymology

Origin of tactics

First recorded in 1620–30; see origin at tactic, -ics

Explanation

Tactics are your carefully planned actions for attaining a certain goal. You'll have to come up with some clever tactics if you're going to figure out how to build the fastest race car and win the Girl Scout troop competition. Tactics also refers to a branch of military science that deals with planning maneuvers. Military tactics involve organizing troops in certain ways, in various locations, and deploying them according to plan. Your military strategy is your plan of action to achieve your overall goal — sinking the Spanish armada, for instance — while your tactics are the nuts and bolts of how you achieve it — deploying small, agile gunboats. Tactics comes from the Greek root taktos, meaning "ordered, arranged."

Example Sentences

On Monday, however, O’Connor struck back with a shocking order that used wildly inappropriate intimidation tactics to wrest back control of the case.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

Some Ukrainian units have been honing new counterattacking tactics that combine drones and infantry.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Despite Musk’s delay tactics, competitors aren’t standing still.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

United were in disarray when Amorim was dismissed, with poor results and disagreements over the Portuguese's tactics and formation leading to an increasingly strained relationship with club officials towards the end of his 14-month tenure.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

There was no public outrage at this kind of tactics.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield