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.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Jaguares competed in Super Rugby between 2016 and 2020 before folding because of financial problems.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
"Super Rugby Americas is growing every year and I think that's a good pathway for developing professional habits and preparing players," Contepomi said.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
The Pacific Islanders famously beat England at Twickenham in August 2023, and came close to doing so again when the teams met in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals a few weeks later.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Cheslin Kolbe, who jagged off the same foot to ice Owen Farrell's ankles in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, danced in at the end of that attack.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
Mike was coming toward me in khaki shorts and a striped Rugby shirt, waving.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
The company announced at 10:40 that the rugby club water station was "temporarily closed" while they restock the bottled water.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
"The dimension is completely different. Even myself, I live for rugby, but football is still in my skin."
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
England's rugby players have switched hotels in Buenos Aires to avoid their return home being wrecked by World Cup celebrations should Argentina's football team beat Spain in Sunday's final.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
Tyler officially caught the singing bug after placing second at the talent show hosted by a local rugby club.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
She was as big and beefy as a rugby player, with a permanent scowl on her face, but she spoke gently to Silena.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
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.
