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

Two days after his arrest, on February 21, Kate re-wore a royal blue coat from Alexander McQueen to a rugby match. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026

While fans will mainly flock to the stadium for soccer games, the stadium will reportedly also host rugby matches, concerts, trade shows, and other events. —Lauren Victory, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Michael Fealey is a sport systems consultant with more than two decades of experience across professional sport, national governing bodies and community rugby. —Michael Fealey, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2026

After the circus moved on, Black South African soccer remained mired in neglect, while cricket and rugby continued to thrive. —Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 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