Rugby

[ ruhg-bee ]

/ ˈrʌg bi /

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noun

a city in E Warwickshire, in central England.

a boys' preparatory school located there: founded 1567.

Also rugby. Also called rugger, Rugby football. 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.

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Origin of Rugby

Probably earlier than 1835–40 for def. 3

Words nearby Rugby

Rufus, rug, ruga, rugate, Rugbeian, Rugby, rugby head, rugby league, Rugby shirt, rugby union, rug-cutter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Rugby in a sentence

The royal couple then traveled on to the Welsh capital of Cardiff to watch a rugby match between Wales and Australia.
Kate Middleton, the Preggers Fashion Princess|Tom Sykes|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another was Greg Jacob, a pro rugby player for Gaelic Athletic Association.
The X Factor of Sex Invades Britain: Rebecca More’s ‘Sex Tour’ Enrages UK Politicians|Marlow Stern|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Haka, a traditional Maori dance, is best known as the pregame ritual of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.
Cartoon Streetfights, Giant Mutant Spider Dogs, and More Viral Videos|Jack Holmes|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some English teams were having none of it and formed leagues to play rugby from which the NFL real football evolved.
Up To a Point: Oops, I Enjoyed Soccer|P. J. O’Rourke|July 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

French rugby players provided similar knowing delight in their Dieux du Stade calendars.
Prince Fielder’s Demi Moore Moment: World Loses It Over Athlete Without Six-Pack|Tim Teeman|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They sent a few years ago some young Tibetan boys to Rugby to be educated in different professions.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921|Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
"Rugby, because a fellow I know is there," replied Colin, decisively.
The Nicest Girl in the School|Angela Brazil
"I shall go to Rugby too, when Colin does," announced Jamie confidently.
The Nicest Girl in the School|Angela Brazil
Here were born six of his nine children; the youngest three, besides one who died in infancy, were born at Rugby.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol X|Various
At Rugby he made it an essential part of the headmaster's office to preach a sermon every Sunday in the school chapel.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol X|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Rugby (1 of 2)

rugby

rugby football

/ (ˈrʌɡbɪ) /

noun

Also called: rugger a form of football played with an oval ball in which the handling and carrying of the ball is permitted

Canadian another name for Canadian football

Word Origin for rugby

C19: named after the public school at Rugby, where it was first played

British Dictionary definitions for Rugby (2 of 2)

Rugby

/ (ˈrʌɡbɪ) /

noun

a town in central England, in E Warwickshire: famous public school, founded in 1567. Pop: 61 988 (2001)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012