Tacking

noun, verb

noun, verb ·2 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Loose temporary stitches in dressmaking etc. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    (nautical) the act of changing tack wordnet
  3. 3
    The act of changing tack. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric together wordnet
  5. 5
    A union of securities given at different times, all of which must be redeemed before an intermediate purchaser can interpose a claim. countable, uncountable

    "The English doctrine of tacking was first solemnly established in Marsh v . Lee , under the assistance of Sir Matthew Hale , who compared the operation to a plank in shipwreck gained by the last mortgagee"

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    The joining together of consecutive periods of possession of property, especially between squatters in cases of adverse possession. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    present participle and gerund of tack form-of, gerund, participle, present

Synonyms

All synonyms
barringbastebastebastingbasting stitchtack

Example

More examples

"Raising the spinnaker while tacking is not advised."

Related phrases

change tack

More for "tacking"

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.