Tack Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of TACK

1

[count]

a

:

a small, sharp nail usually with a wide, flat head

• carpet tacks

2

sailing

a

[count, noncount]

:

the direction that a ship or boat is sailing in as it moves at an angle to the direction of the wind

• We were sailing on (a/the) port tack. [=with the wind coming from our port/left side]
• the starboard tack

b

[count]

:

a change from one direction to another direction while sailing

• a tack from port to starboard

c

[count]

:

the distance traveled while sailing in a particular direction

• a long tack

3

:

a way in which you do something or try to do something

[singular]

• He thought he should try a new/different tack.

[noncount]

• The company decided to change tack. [=to try using a different method/approach]

4

[count]

:

a loose stitch that is used to hold pieces of cloth together before sewing them tightly together

get down to brass tacks

— see brass

Britannica Dictionary definition of TACK

1

always followed by an adverb or preposition,

[+ object]

:

to fasten or attach (something) with tacks

• She tacked a poster on the wall.
• A message was tacked to the board.

2

[+ object]

:

to add on or attach (something) in a quick or careless way

— usually + on or onto

• They tacked one more provision onto the deal.
• The porch looked like it was just tacked on/onto the house.

3

[no object]

sailing

:

to turn a ship or boat so that the wind is coming at it from the opposite side

• We had to tack repeatedly as we sailed toward the harbor.

Britannica Dictionary definition of TACK

[noncount]

:

the equipment (such as a saddle and a bridle) that is used for riding a horse