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 of rigging

• clothing
• clothes
• attire
• dress
• garments
• apparel

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

In New York, tall ships, with their masts, rigging and white sails outlined against a blue sky, made a procession around the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

In New York, tall ships, with their masts, rigging and white sails outlined against a blue sky, made a procession around the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson River, recalling the fanfare around America’s 200th anniversary in 1976. — Steven Sloan, Fortune, 5 July 2026

With their billowing sails, teakwood decks and mazes of ropes and rigging, ships like Eagle draw throngs of visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the past. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Wide teak decks, polished stainless-steel accents, sleek rigging and billowing white sails define the design. — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ragging, riggyng fitting out of a ship

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for rigging

• digging
• jigging

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)