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 mother of three also revealed that her daughter, Princess Charlotte, isn’t officially involved in rugby, but joins in when the family plays together at home. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026

Among the highlights are a suede jacket lined in shearling, lightweight plaid shirts, carpenter style shirt jackets, utility jackets with side entry pockets, fleece with polo-style collars and a range of rugby shirts. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026

While there, the Princess of Wales shared that her daughter Princess Charlotte isn’t taking part in rugby at school. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026

Van der Westhuizen loved to play cricket and rugby, but the segregationist apartheid regime stunted that dream by restricting him from testing his mettle with talented Black athletes. —Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 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