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.
Boston was among the first players inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988 and is one of five rugby league players to be included in a statue at Wembley Stadium.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
BBC Sport understands Tui, 34, has agreed a one-year deal with last season's Premiership Women's Rugby finalists.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Rugby player Tommy Freeman started having absence seizures as a 14-year-old and, after later being diagnosed with epilepsy, he now manages the condition by taking tablets alongside playing for Northampton and England.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
The enhanced contracts were introduced in 2024 as part of the new Professional Game Partnership between the Rugby Football Union and the Prem clubs.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Mike was coming toward me in khaki shorts and a striped Rugby shirt, waving.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
The eyes of the rugby world now turn to Soweto.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Born and brought up in Cardiff's ethnically-eclectic Tiger Bay district, he learned his rugby skills on the streets and with the talent factory-esque Cardiff International Athletic Club.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
When Sir Billy Boston was knighted in 2025, it was a unique moment for rugby league.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
His son had been due to return to school and rugby training and became extremely upset when he realised they would not be returning home as planned.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
That’s what rugby guys said when they got stitches.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
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.
