1. A short nail with a sharp point and a large head
   "He used a tack to pin the notice to the bulletin board"
    
2. The heading or position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails
   "The skilled sailor changed tack to take advantage of the shifting wind"
    
3. (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
   "The sailor adjusted the tack to trim the mainsail for optimal performance";
   - sheet, mainsheet, weather sheet, shroud
    
4. (nautical) the act of changing tack
   "The sailor's tack allowed the boat to make progress against the wind";
   - tacking
    
5. An approach or course of action, esp. a new one
   "He stopped for a moment, collecting his thoughts, before deciding to try a different tack"
    
6. Gear for a horse
   "They hung the stable gear on hooks in the tack room";
   - stable gear, saddlery

1. Fasten with tacks
   "tack the notice on the board"
    
2. Fix to; attach
   "She tacked on a postscript to the letter";
   - append, tag on, tack on, hang on
    
3. Sew together loosely, with large stitches
   "tack a hem";
   - baste
    
4. Create by putting components or members together
   "He tacked together some verses";
   - assemble, piece, put together, set up, tack together
    
5. (boat) turn into the wind
   "The sailors decided to tack the boat"; "The boat tacked"

Derived forms: tacked, tacks, tacking

Type of: aim, appurtenance, attach, bearing, change of course, create, fasten, fix, gear, heading, join, line, make, nail, paraphernalia, run up, sail, secure, sew, sew together, stitch, stitch up

Part of: ship

Encyclopedia: Tack