rig

American  

[rig] / rɪg /

verb (used with object)

rigged, rigging

1. Chiefly Nautical.

   1. to put in proper order for working or use.

   2. to fit (a ship, mast, etc.) with the necessary shrouds, stays, etc.

   3. to fit (shrouds, stays, sails, etc.) to the mast, yard, or the like.

2. to manipulate fraudulently.

   Two leading companies in the industry were fined for rigging prices.

3. to assemble, install, or prepare (often followed byup ).

4. to furnish or provide with equipment, clothing, etc.; fit (usually followed by out orup ).

   The ground crew rigged us out in leather helmets and bomber jackets.

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noun

1. the arrangement of the masts, spars, sails, etc., on a boat or ship.

2. apparatus for some purpose; equipment; outfit; gear.

   Bring your rod and reel and all the rest of your fishing rig.

   This other PC over here is my main gaming rig.

3. Also called drill rig.  the equipment used in drilling an oil well.

4. any combination trucking unit in which vehicles are hooked together, as a tractor-trailer.

5. any kind of truck.

6. a carriage, buckboard, sulky, or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it.

7. Informal. costume or dress, especially when odd or conspicuous, or when designated for a particular purpose.

   He looks quite nifty in a butler's rig.

verb phrase

1. rig up to equip or set up for use.

2. rig down to place in an inactive state, stowing all lines, tackles, and other removable parts.

rig ¹ British  

/ rɪɡ /

verb

1. nautical to equip (a vessel, mast, etc) with (sails, rigging, etc)

2. nautical to set up or prepare ready for use

3. to put the components of (an aircraft, etc) into their correct positions

4. to manipulate in a fraudulent manner, esp for profit

   to rig prices

   to rig an election

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noun

1. nautical the distinctive arrangement of the sails, masts, and other spars of a vessel

2. In full: drilling rig.  the installation used in drilling for and exploiting natural oil and gas deposits

   an oil rig

3. apparatus or equipment; gear

4. an amateur radio operator's transmitting and receiving set

5. a carriage together with one or more horses

6. an articulated lorry

rig ² British  

/ rɪɡ /

noun

1. dialect a ridge or raised strip of unploughed land in a ploughed field

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Other Word Forms

• outrig verb (used with object)
• overrigged adjective
• underrigged adjective

Etymology

Origin of rig

First recorded in 1480–90; 1930–35 rig for def. 2; probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish rigg (noun), rigga (verb)

Example Sentences

That led him to the petroleum industry, where working on oil rigs in the punishing North Sea and near conflict zones helped sate his risk appetite.

From The Wall Street Journal

The proposed window runs from 9 May to 9 June 2026 and includes time for set‑up, show days, de‑rig and "wet weather buffer days".

From BBC

Angry Iranians have taken to the streets with increasing frequency over the past decade, mobilizing over allegations of election rigging in 2009, women’s rights in 2022, and, late last year, the worsening economic crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal

Researchers took out a car at night, rigged with equipment to measure light intensity and an observer in the vehicle could press a button if they felt glare might interfere with their driving.

From BBC

Luckily, a rigged ping-pong exhibition match allows Marty to embrace his theatrical talents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• falsify
• fix
• manipulate
• tamper with