Showing results for "tactics"

• plural of tactic.

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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Synonym Usage

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

The Better Business Bureau also recently announced that it’s referring Kalshi to state attorneys general over its obscure marketing tactics.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2026

Rather, what was on display this past week was the difference in tactics for achieving what are really similar visions for the sci-fi future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026

Instead of building a system first, Southgate prioritised the quality of his players before creating tactics around them.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

“Those air tactics are no longer needed because all the fire has been put out on the roof,” Raabe said outside the facility.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

In Kabul, Najibullah changed tactics and tried to portray himself as a devout Muslim.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini