rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

variants often Rugby

: 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

The phrase has been used in Australian coverage of rugby players, referees and other athletes. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Don’t forget, the teenage Keegan was playing in a pub team and had taken a job at a local factory, the Pegler brassworks, before getting his first break at Scunthorpe United, training on a rugby pitch with the wrong-sized goalposts. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 20 July 2026

For a 39-year-old from New Zealand, the son of an All Blacks rugby star who once only dreamed of having a card on any tour, this was no time to back down. — Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Wales was overpowered by Argentina last weekend in San Juan and was determined to front up at Kings Park against the most direct team in world rugby. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

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