Also called rugger. Also called 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.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A day later Cardiff Rugby academy players found the tub while doing volunteering work, and handed it to park officials.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Cardiff Rugby academy players stumbled on Christopher's bathtub while carrying out essential maintenance work on the mountain, and helped rangers retrieve it.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Argentina's Pumas have also delivered regularly at Rugby World Cups, reaching three semi-finals over the past five tournaments.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Since 2019, however, the semi-professional Super Rugby Americas has provided a pathway for emerging talent.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Rugby league is a lot like American football, but with no helmets and no pads.
From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge
Champions Northampton will host Newcastle Red Bulls on the opening day of the 2026-27 Prem rugby season.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Fox, the son of rugby legend Grant Fox, had never previously finished in the top 10 of any major tournament.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Fox, a New Zealander who is the son of rugby legend, finished the tournament on a scorcher with four birdies in the final six holes to complete an out-of-nowhere victory for a 39-year-old journeyman.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Moyo converted his first points in international rugby.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
They were just scrub kids from Salem, out to watch a rugby game, I guessed.
From "Winger" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
