ruck

¹

[ruhk]

noun

1. a large number or quantity; mass.

2. the great mass of undistinguished or inferior persons or things.

ruck

²

[ruhk]

noun

1. a fold or wrinkle; crease.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become creased or wrinkled.

ruck

¹

/ rʌk /

noun

1. a large number or quantity; mass, esp of ordinary or undistinguished people or things

2. (in a race) a group of competitors who are well behind the leaders at the finish

3. rugby a loose scrum that forms around the ball when it is on the ground

4. Australian rules football the three players, two ruckmen and a rover, that do not have fixed positions but follow the ball closely

verb

1. (intr) rugby to try to win the ball by advancing over it when it is on the ground, driving opponents backward in the process

ruck

²

/ rʌk /

noun

1. a wrinkle, crease, or fold

verb

1. (usually foll by up) to become or make wrinkled, creased, or puckered

ruck

³

/ rʌk /

noun

1. slang:prison,  a fight

ruck

⁴

/ rʌk /

noun

1. slang,  military a rucksack

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruck¹

1175–1225; Middle English ruke, perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian ruka in same senses; akin to rick ¹

Origin of ruck²

First recorded in 1780–90, ruck is from the Old Norse word hrukka a wrinkle

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruck¹

C13 (meaning ``heap of firewood''): perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse hraukr _rick ¹

Origin of ruck²

C18: from Scandinavian; related to Old Norse hrukka

Origin of ruck³

C20: short for _ruckus

Example Sentences

Her high energy and ability to find holes will mean England's defence around the ruck will have to be very sharp and diligent.

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"Tactically, you have to give it up to Canada, the kick game, the ruck game, and they kept the ref out of the game," Tui added.

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"Everyone will have their opinions 'oh you are not a real forward' or I don't hit rucks hard," a confident Miller said.

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What does try, ruck and scrum mean in rugby union?

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Wales won eight turnovers against Scotland, with each of those turnovers coming at the breakdown – no other side won more than five turnovers at the ruck in the opening round of Rugby World Cup 2025.

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