Also called rugger. Also called Rugby football. Usually rugby a form of football, played between two teams of 15 members each, that differs from soccer in freedom to carry the ball, block with the hands and arms, and tackle, and is characterized chiefly by continuous action and prohibition against the use of substitute players.
a town in Warwickshire, in central England.
a coeducational preparatory school in Rugby, England, founded in 1567.
Also called: rugger. a form of football played with an oval ball in which the handling and carrying of the ball is permitted
another name for Canadian football
Probably earlier than 1835–40 Rugby for def. 1; Middle English Rokeby, Rookby, Old English Rocheberie, possibly earlier Hrōcaburg, Hrōceburh (unrecorded) “Hroca's fort,” influenced by Old Norse býr “town, settlement”; see also borough ( def. )
How does rugby compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
In rugby, players pass an oval ball and tackle each other to score points, all while wearing minimal protective gear. Rugby is a high-energy sport that originated in England. In rugby, two teams compete to carry, pass, or kick the ball to score points by grounding it in the opponent's goal area or kicking it through their goalposts. Unlike American football, rugby players don't wear much protective gear, which makes the game intense and physical. Rugby is known for its teamwork, strategy, and the camaraderie among players, making it a popular sport worldwide.
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After previously expressing interest in the role, England head coach John Mitchell is now likely to focus on the Red Roses' defence of the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2029.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
King Cross Park Rugby League Club, in Halifax, also paid tribute, saying: "Yesterday we were informed of the devastating news that Reco Puttock, who played for our 2025 U13s, tragically lost his life."
From BBC • May 27, 2026
"We spoke about Rory McIlroy in the lead-up to the quarter-final against Toulouse," McNamara told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
He has also starred when Clarke has been in the crowd at Rugby Park.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
At night I lie in bed thinking about Tom Brown and his adventures at Rugby School and all the characters in P. G.Wodehouse.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
