Rugby

American  

[ruhg-bee] / ˈrʌg bi /

noun

1. 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.

2. a town in Warwickshire, in central England.

3. a coeducational preparatory school in Rugby, England, founded in 1567.

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rugby ¹ British  

/ ˈrʌɡbɪ /

noun

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

2. another name for Canadian football

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Rugby ² British  

/ ˈrʌɡbɪ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Rugby

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”; borough ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does rugby compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Rugby vs. soccer

Example Sentences

The Italians, undeterred by anything Ireland threw at them, continued to stretch the home defence with rapid, heads-up rugby.

From BBC

Before skeleton, Weston was an England taekwondo international and played rugby union, but was introduced to sliding through Discover Your Gold, a UK Sport talent identification scheme.

From BBC

The oldest fixture in international rugby was showing its age.

From BBC

England rugby union captain Maro Itoje has labelled Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's controversial comments about immigration as "ridiculous" and "wrong".

From Barron's

The Scottish rugby mentality is a complex thing.

From BBC

Related Words

• soccer