Illustration of tackle
- tackle 2b
1
: a set of the equipment used in a particular activity : gear
fishing tackle
2
a
: a ship's rigging
b
: an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling
3
a
: the act or an instance of tackling
b(1)
: either of two offensive football players positioned on each side of the center and between guard and end
(2)
: either of two football players positioned on the inside of a defensive line
tackled; tackling
ˈta-k(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to seize, take hold of, or grapple with especially with the intention of stopping or subduing
b
: to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player with the ball) in football
2
: to set about dealing with
tackle the problem
3
: to attach or secure with or as if with tackle
: to tackle an opposing player in football
Examples of tackle in a Sentence
Noun
a box for fishing tackle
He made two tackles in the first half.
Verb
The police officer tackled him as he tried to escape.
He was tackled at the line of scrimmage.
I'll tackle my homework later.
We found new ways to tackle the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Parsons missed four games, the most in his career, last season, after suffering a high ankle sprain against the New York Giants, but still had a strong season with 43 tackles, 12 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Sara Belcher, People.com, 9 May 2025
This week is the first, as players tackle the Truist Championship (previously known as Wells Fargo Championship).
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
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Noun
No team had ever started a rookie for more than 12 games at left tackle and won the Super Bowl.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Parsons missed four games, the most in his career, last season, after suffering a high ankle sprain against the New York Giants, but still had a strong season with 43 tackles, 12 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Verb
The common struggle new mothers face to develop their sense of self outside the all-encompassing nature of motherhood is one of the topics Lander tackles in her work.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 9 May 2025
This week is the first, as players tackle the Truist Championship (previously known as Wells Fargo Championship).
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
Cite this Entry
“Tackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tackle. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: a set of special equipment : gear
fishing tackle
2
: an arrangement of ropes and wheels for hoisting or pulling something heavy
3
a
: the act or an instance of tackling
b
: a football player who is positioned on the line of scrimmage and inside the ends
tackle
2 of 2 verb
tackled; tackling
ˈtak-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to seize or take hold of especially in order to stop or throw down
2
: to set about dealing with
tackle a problem
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