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
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 committee -- led by judges and set up in December -- will also examine if systemic problems, such as bid-rigging, occurred in large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.
—
Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
The committee — led by judges and set up in December — will also examine if systemic problems, such as bid-rigging, occurred in large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Enter the world of a 19th-century New Englander at the Mystic Seaport Museum, a destination filled with interactive exhibits showcasing the trades of ship carving, printing, and rigging.
—Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were charged last year and are set to face trial this year over a pitch-rigging related to in-game prop bets and parlays.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigging
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
The committee — led by judges and set up in December — will also examine if systemic problems, such as bid-rigging, occurred in large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Enter the world of a 19th-century New Englander at the Mystic Seaport Museum, a destination filled with interactive exhibits showcasing the trades of ship carving, printing, and rigging.
—Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were charged last year and are set to face trial this year over a pitch-rigging related to in-game prop bets and parlays.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigging
Cite this Entry
“Rigging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigging. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
