Definition of: tackle

(tak′əl, in nautical usage tā′kəl) noun
1. A rope, pulley, or combination of ropes and pulleys, used for hoisting or moving objects.
2. Naut. A mechanism for raising and lowering heavy weights, or managing sails and spars, as on shipboard.
3. A windlass or winch, together with ropes and hooks.
4. The instruments collectively used in any work or sport; gear; equipment: fishing tackle.
5. Formerly, the implements of war; weapons.
6. The act of tackling, or seizing and stopping, especially in football.
7. In football, either of two linemen stationed between the guard and end: called right and left tackle.
8. A ship's rigging collectively.
—v.t. ·led, ·ling
1. To harness (a horse).
2. To deal with; undertake to master, accomplish, or solve: to tackle a task or a problem.
3. To seize suddenly and forcefully, usually in order to stop or throw to the ground: to tackle a fleeing burglar.
4. In football, to seize and stop (an opponent carrying the ball). [<MLG takel <taken seize]
—tack′ler noun