tactics

UK: /ˈtæktɪks/ US: /ˈtæktɪks/ ,(tak′tiks)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tac•tics /ˈtæktɪks/   n. 

1. Military the science of arranging and maneuvering military or naval forces:
   [uncountable; used with a singular verb] Tactics has always been their strong point in making war.
2. Military the maneuvers themselves:
   [plural* used with a plural verb] slash-and-burn tactics.
3. maneuvers for gaining advantage:
   [plural* used with a plural verb] Her tactics were to divide his friends and therefore strengthen her own position.

tac•ti•cal, adj. 
tac•ti•cal•ly, adv. 
tac•ti•cian /tækˈtɪʃən/  n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tac•tics  (tak′tiks), n. 

1. Military (usually used with a sing. v.) the art or science of disposing military or naval forces for battle and maneuvering them in battle.
2. Military (used with a pl. v.) the maneuvers themselves.
3. (used with a sing. v.) any mode of procedure for gaining advantage or success.
4. Linguistics (usually used with a sing. v.)
   • the patterns in which the elements of a given level or stratum in a language may combine to form larger constructions.
   • the study and description of such patterns.

• see tactic, -ics 1620–30

Synonyms

• 1. See strategy. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tactics / ˈtæktɪks/ noun:plural

1. (functioning as singular) the art and science of the detailed direction and control of movement or manoeuvre of forces in battle to achieve an aim or task
2. the manoeuvres used or plans followed to achieve a particular short-term aim

Etymology: 17th Century: from New Latin tactica, from Greek ta taktika the matters of arrangement, neuter plural of taktikos concerning arrangement or order, from taktos arranged (for battle), from tassein to arrange

tacˈtician noun