Also called rugger, 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.
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However Peter, a former Wallaby himself, and an 11-year-old Max flew to the UK in 2015 to watch that year's Rugby World Cup.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
He knows that Australia need to be more consistent if he and they are to feature in the biggest matches in this autumn's Nations Championship finals and, beyond, at next year's home Rugby World Cup.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Ian Nolan, the new chief executive of the Rugby Football League, has supported Wilkin's plea, issued on BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Decorated defence guru Shaun Edwards says his offer to work for England at next year's Rugby World Cup was turned down by head coach Steve Borthwick.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Rugby league is a lot like American football, but with no helmets and no pads.
From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge
Llewellyn played most of his early senior rugby for Cardiff at inside centre before leaving for Gloucester, where he has played more at outside centre alongside England midfield-man Seb Atkinson at Kingsholm.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Since that memorable 2024 win at Twickenham, Jorgensen, who resisted overtures from rugby league's NRL as a teenager, has become a first-choice back-three pick for his team.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Former England international Jon Wilkin has appealed directly to Burnham and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, both rugby league fans, to pledge government money to a rugby league-based social impact project.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Growing up, Huntington Beach High senior Brianna Padilla-Massion played soccer, volleyball, basketball, soccer and rugby.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
They were just scrub kids from Salem, out to watch a rugby game, I guessed.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
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