/ ˈtæktɪkl; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] connected with the particular method you use to achieve sth
SYN strategic :
tactical planning
to have a tactical advantage
Telling your boss you were looking for a new job was a tactical error (= it was the wrong thing to do at that time) .
2.
[ usually before noun ] carefully planned in order to achieve a particular aim
SYN strategic :
a tactical decision
—see also tactical voting
3.
[ only before noun ] ( especially of weapons ) used or having an effect over short distances or for a short time :
tactical weapons / missiles
—compare strategic (3)
4.
[ only before noun ] connected with military tactics :
He was given tactical command of the operation.
► tac·tic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb :
At the time, it was tactically the right thing to do.
The enemy was tactically superior.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (in the sense relating to military or naval tactics ): from Greek taktikos ( from taktos ordered, arranged, from the base of tassein arrange) + -al .