rigging

American  

[rig-ing] / ˈrɪg ɪŋ /

noun

1. the ropes, chains, etc., employed to support and work the masts, yards, sails, etc., on a ship.

2. lifting or hauling tackle.

3. Informal. clothing.

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rigging British  

/ ˈrɪɡɪŋ /

noun

1. the shrouds, stays, halyards, etc, of a vessel

2. the bracing wires, struts, and lines of a biplane, balloon, etc

3. any form of lifting gear, tackle, etc

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Etymology

Origin of rigging

First recorded in 1480–90; rig + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Franglen's creations included a long-necked lute, similar to a Turkish saz, with strings that represent the rigging of the Wind Traders' ship.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav a blistering letter Wednesday, accusing the studio of rigging the process in favor of a “single bidder” and “abdicating its duties to stockholders.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2025

Leiweke, a co-founder of Oak View Group, was charged in July with rigging a competitive process for the right to build a new arena in Austin for the University of Texas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Deutsche Bank has been caught up in scandals involving the rigging of Libor, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, Russian mirror trades, and money laundering.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

Nat looked aloft into the rigging, and found himself clenching his fists and holding his breath, trying to will more speed into his ship.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham