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ENGLISH · A WORD WITH POSSIBILITIES

tackle.

A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.

6 characters2 syllables approx.English language

Meaning & usage

noun/ˈtækəl/[ˈtʰækɫ̩]
  1. A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.

    countable · uncountable
  2. A block and tackle.

    countable · uncountable
  3. Clothing.

    slang · uncountable
  4. Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.

    uncountable
  5. Equipment, gear, gadgetry.

    broadly · informal · uncountable
  6. A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.

    countable
  7. A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.

    countable
  8. Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.

    countable
  9. An offensive line position between a guard and an end: offensive tackle; a person playing that position.

    countable · uncountable
  10. A defensive position between two defensive ends: defensive tackle; a person playing that position.

    countable · uncountable
  11. The penis.

    countable · slang · uncountable
Where this word comes from

From Middle English takel (“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel (“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken (“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel (“tackle”), Swedish tackel (“tackle”). More at take.

verb/ˈtækəl/[ˈtʰækɫ̩]
  1. To force a person to the ground with the weight of one's own body, usually by jumping on top or slamming one's weight into them.

  2. To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.

    The government's measures to tackle crime were insufficient.
    Have you tackled them about paying for it?
  3. To attempt to take away a ball.

  4. To bring a ball carrier to the ground.

  5. To "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.

    Singapore · colloquial
Where this word comes from

From Middle English takel (“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel (“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken (“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel (“tackle”), Swedish tackel (“tackle”). More at take.

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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.

Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.