rigging

noun

rig·​ging ˈri-giŋ 

-gən

1

a

: lines and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars

b

: a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support and manipulation

2

: clothing

Synonyms

• apparel
• attire
• clobber [British slang]
• clothes
• clothing
• costumery
• dress
• duds
• garments
• gear
• habiliment(s)
• habit [archaic]
• rags
• raiment
• rig
• threads
• toggery
• togs
• vestiary
• vestments
• vesture
• wear
• wearables
• weeds

Examples of rigging in a Sentence

They checked the rigging before they set sail.

even at the Ivies they dress in the standard rigging of the college student: T-shirt and jeans

Recent Examples on the Web

The individual dressed as Santa was rappelling down the building during the Norwalk Holiday Extravaganza when part of his costume became entangled in the rigging, leaving him unable to descend any further, fire officials said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Dec. 2024

The group was further weakened by Israel’s assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and 13 of its top commanders, as well as the rigging of thousands of Hezbollah pagers. —Tovah Lazaroff, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

These included conspiracy theories alleging that the Minister for Justice had sent citizenship documents and promised passports to asylum seekers in exchange for votes, as well as claims of election rigging at polling stations and count centers. —Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Hunter was initially charged with bid rigging and unlawful compensation of a public official. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ragging, riggyng fitting out of a ship

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rigging

noun

rig·​ging ˈrig-iŋ 

-ən

1

: the ropes and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars

2

: equipment for supporting and working something (as theater scenery)