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.
Cheslin Kolbe, who jagged off the same foot to ice Owen Farrell's ankles in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, danced in at the end of that attack.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
They said while the incident was "regrettable for all parties involved" the Prem Rugby club "remains supportive of the player".
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
The review followed a wide-ranging public debate prompted by the trial of two Ulster Rugby players, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, and two other men.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
She lists her interests as real ale, good books, the arts and music and sport - she’s a member of Glamorgan County Cricket Club and a regular at Cardiff City FC and at Cardiff Rugby.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
At night I lie in bed thinking about Tom Brown and his adventures at Rugby School and all the characters in P. G.Wodehouse.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
He is watching a showcase of the games which will be played at Invictus, including wheelchair rugby and pickleball, which combines tennis, table tennis and badminton.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Thorpe told the BBC he bought the section of wall after making regular visits to Berlin to play rugby in the late 1980s.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
Tyler officially caught the singing bug after placing second at the talent show hosted by a local rugby club.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
"Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great Tests in world rugby and an opportunity we're excited to embrace," said head coach Steve Borthwick.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
But most guys just got all tense around Joey in normal social situations, like any time when we weren’t out on the pitch and bashing each others’ brains in playing rugby.
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.
