rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: a football game in which play is continuous without time-outs or substitutions, interference and forward passing are not permitted, and kicking, dribbling, lateral passing, and tackling are featured

Examples of rugby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brett started his career in rugby union before spending nearly a decade with Brighton. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

The 28-year-old Maher, who helped lead the U.S. to the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games, has signed a three-month contract with Bristol in southwestern England. —Associated Press, TIME, 5 Jan. 2025

State of play: The historic announcement comes one day after a new women's pro rugby team released its team name and colors. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025

Listen to this article The San Diego Legion and five other rugby teams pushed a 10-ton bus on Wednesday, part of a competition — Bus Push Challenge II — that benefited Rady Children’s Hospital. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Rugby School, Rugby, England

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: a football game between two teams in which play is continuous and the team that has the ball may run with it, kick it, or pass it sideways or backward but is not allowed to block or make forward passes

Etymology

named for Rugby School in England where the game was first played

Geographical Definition

Rugby

geographical name

Rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

town on the Avon River in Warwickshire, central England population 71,000