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
Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
There’s a defensive front led by tackles Zach Sieler, who has back-to-back 10-sack seasons, and Kenneth Grant, the rookie first-round pick.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Deciding whether to tackle a DIY project or hire a contractor?
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tackle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
After being declared the starter at left tackle in the preseason, Suamataia was benched in the fourth quarter of his second game and never regained a full-time role.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
There’s a defensive front led by tackles Zach Sieler, who has back-to-back 10-sack seasons, and Kenneth Grant, the rookie first-round pick.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Verb
Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said some officers pepper-sprayed, tackled and dragged protesters away from the facility.
—Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Deciding whether to tackle a DIY project or hire a contractor?
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 14 June 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 18 Jun. 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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