rigger

American  

[rig-er] / ˈrɪg ər /

noun

• riggers
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• riggers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of rigger

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rigger riggers

The man, whose name was not made public, was a rigger who fell from the rafters, according to the trade publication Deadline, which first reported the news.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 6, 2024

The rigger was working for ELP Broadcast and Events, who pleaded guilty to breaching safety guidelines.

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2023

His mother was a commercial artist, and his father was an engineer who also worked in Hollywood special effects, including as a wire rigger on “The Wizard of Oz.”

From Washington Post ● Feb. 9, 2022

Mr. O’Brien, who once worked as a rigger, transporting heavy equipment to construction sites, was elected president of a large Boston local in 2006.

From New York Times ● Nov. 19, 2021

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

“There was a kind of solemn reverence from everyone,” she said, “the guys who drove the trucks, the riggers, and the people from Port Authority. We felt it.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

The system allows for revenue to be shared with a pool of union workers, such as stand-ins, stunt riggers and background actors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2025

The workers include electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers, and riggers.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2023

Founded more than 130 years ago as an unpretentious overalls manufacturer, Carhartt has become a brand beloved by folk artists and rappers, oil riggers, skaters and the fashion week crowd.

From New York Times ● Feb. 19, 2022

Already sailors, porters, riggers, and such were at work.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

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