rigger

American  

[rig-er] / ˈrɪg ər /

noun

1. a person who rigs.

2. a person whose occupation is the fitting of the rigging of ships.

3. a person who works with hoisting tackle, cranes, scaffolding, etc.

4. a protective structure around a construction site.

5. Aeronautics.

   1. a mechanic skilled in the assembly, adjustment, and alignment of aircraft control surfaces, wings, and the like.

   2. parachute rigger.

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rigger British  

/ ˈrɪɡə /

noun

1. a workman who rigs vessels, etc

2. rowing a bracket on a racing shell or other boat to support a projecting rowlock

3. a person skilled in the use of pulleys, lifting gear, cranes, etc

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Etymology

Origin of rigger

First recorded in 1605–15; rig + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The man, who was working as a rigger - someone who sets up scaffolding on film and TV sets - later died of his injuries.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2024

Prosecutors blamed that accident on shoddy work by a crane rigger, but a jury acquitted him of manslaughter charges after his lawyer argued that bad welding and other factors were to blame.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 27, 2023

He thought about Jimmy Palmer, a rigger with the crane company who had become a close friend but died of cancer before he could help bring Lee down.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2023

Mr. O’Brien, who once worked as a rigger, transporting heavy equipment to construction sites, was elected president of a large Boston local in 2006.

From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2021

He went on to train as a parachute rigger and was sent to Panama.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge