Tacking

/ˈtæk.ɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The action of tacking, especially in sailing.

After several tacks, they were finally able to reach their destination.

A method of attaching things in a temporary or semi-permanent way.

The tacking of the papers to the wall made it easy to rearrange them later.

verb

The act of changing the direction of a sailing vessel by turning the bow into the wind.

The sailors were tacking their way up the river to avoid the strong current.

To attach or fasten something with tacks.

She spent the afternoon tacking the fabric to the bulletin board.

Middle English 'tacke', from Old Norse 'takka', meaning to fasten or attach.

tack on

To add something, often extraneously.

tack back

To reverse direction or adjust back to a previous position.

tack down

To secure something in place.

tack

A small nail with a flat head used for fastening.

tacking stitch

A temporary loose stitch used in sewing to hold fabric in place.

tacker

A tool or person that tacks items together.

To change plans or direction abruptly.

We were going to the beach, but then I had to tack and choose the mountains instead.

To pull an all-nighter or work on something late.

I was tacking last night to finish my project.