rigger

American  

[rig-er] / ˈrɪg ər /

noun

1. a person who rigs.

2. a person whose occupation is the fitting of the rigging of ships.

3. a person who works with hoisting tackle, cranes, scaffolding, etc.

4. a protective structure around a construction site.

5. Aeronautics.

   1. a mechanic skilled in the assembly, adjustment, and alignment of aircraft control surfaces, wings, and the like.

   2. parachute rigger.

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rigger British  

/ ˈrɪɡə /

noun

1. a workman who rigs vessels, etc

2. rowing a bracket on a racing shell or other boat to support a projecting rowlock

3. a person skilled in the use of pulleys, lifting gear, cranes, etc

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Etymology

Origin of rigger

First recorded in 1605–15; rig + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“We’re the great underdogs of the greatest American disaster in history, apparently. This little community,” said Rashi Kaslow, a boat rigger who lived in the Bowl for more than 17 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Prosecutors blamed that accident on shoddy work by a crane rigger, but a jury acquitted him of manslaughter charges after his lawyer argued that bad welding and other factors were to blame.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 27, 2023

He thought about Jimmy Palmer, a rigger with the crane company who had become a close friend but died of cancer before he could help bring Lee down.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2023

At 18, he joined the Teamsters as a rigger, hauling heavy equipment around construction sites.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2022

He went on to train as a parachute rigger and was sent to Panama.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge