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

Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024

During the recent Summer Olympics in Paris, Kang announced a $4 million gift to USA Rugby after the women’s rugby sevens team won the bronze medal. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 Nov. 2024

The rugby player, a social media star who had many passionate supporters throughout the competition show's 33rd season, and her partner Alan Bersten were runners up in Tuesday's finale, while Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson took the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Graziadei and Johnson were competing against Olympian rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten; Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola partnered with dancer Witney Carson; Olympian gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold; and actor Chandler Kinney with dancer Brandon Armstrong. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

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