the heading or position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails
"The sailor adjusted the rudder to tack the boat into the wind and set the optimal heading for the racing regatta."
a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
"The carpenter hammered a tack into the wooden frame to hold the fabric in place before gluing it down."
gear for a horse
"The blacksmith spent hours repairing the tack to ensure his riding horse was comfortable and safe."
(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 ensure the sail caught just enough wind without luffing."
sailing a zigzag course
"The sailor adjusted the sails to tack through the strong winds, moving in a series of sharp zigzags across the bay."
A small nail with a flat head.
"The tacky plastic decorations made the living room look cheap and gaudy."
A stain; a tache.
That which is tacky; something cheap and gaudy.
In plain English: A tack is the direction you steer a boat, either to windward or leeward relative to where the wind is blowing.
"The sailor adjusted the tack to catch better wind from ahead."
Usage: Do not confuse the noun "tack" with the adjective "tacky," as they refer to completely different concepts despite sharing similar spelling. The term specifically denotes a small nail, whereas its homophone describes something cheap or gaudy in appearance.
create by putting components or members together
"She pieced a quilt"
"He tacked together some verses"
"They set up a committee"
To nail with a tack (small nail with a flat head).
"He used a hammer to tack the poster onto the bulletin board."
In plain English: To tack means to change direction quickly by turning sharply back and forth, often while riding a bike or horse.
"The sailor quickly changed direction to tack against the wind."
A surname.
"Tack is known as a prominent family name in several regions of England."
The word "tack" comes from Middle English and originally meant a hook, staple, or nail. Its roots trace back through Old Northern French and Frankish to Proto-Germanic, where it referred to a tip, point, or prong.