scrum

American  

[skruhm] / skrʌm /

noun

1. a rugby play in which three members of each team line up opposite one another with a group of two and a group of three players behind them: the ball is then rolled between the opposing front lines and players attempt to kick the ball backward to a teammate.

2. a project management method often used in agile development, centering around a small team with a schedule of short, fixed-length work cycles, each of which is used to complete some chunk of a complex or ongoing project.

3. a place or situation of confusion and racket; hubbub.

4. a chaotic, rushed attempt by multiple reporters to question one or more politicians, celebrities, etc..

   The minister always left meetings through a back door to avoid the daily scrum.

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verb (used without object)

scrummed, scrumming

1. to engage in a scrum.

scrum British  

/ skrʌm /

noun

1. rugby the act or method of restarting play after an infringement when the two opposing packs of forwards group together with heads down and arms interlocked and push to gain ground while the scrum half throws the ball in and the hookers attempt to scoop it out to their own team. A scrum is usually called by the referee ( set scrum ) but may be formed spontaneously ( loose scrum )

2. informal a disorderly struggle

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verb

1. rugby to form a scrum

Etymology

Origin of scrum

First recorded in 1885–90; short for scrummage

Example Sentences

Scrum-half Jeremy Fernandez took the ball from a scrum and broke down the blind side before putting a perfectly weighted kick behind the Saints defence for winger Ambadiang to race onto and score.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

A scrum of photographers captured the winners with their new hardware.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Scotland won two scrum penalties and a scrum free-kick while Rae was involved.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

It was based on what he did in the scrum in the autumn - and he repeated it on Saturday.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

I kept my spot and my nickname, at number eleven, JP made fullback, Seanie made scrum half, and the rest of the team were the returning seniors from last year, including Chas, Kevin, and Joey.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith