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
Etherington co-designed the entire rigging system and oversaw the installation of every stationary and robotic camera attached to the building.
—
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
At one point, much to the producers’ chagrin, the singer climbed a tall utility poll without any safety rigging.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
The Cook Auditorium was opened in 1935 — replacing the high school’s original Greek Revival–style auditorium that had been severely damaged in the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake — and closed in 2019 for renovations to address safety concerns with the now decades-old rigging system.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Standing at around one metre tall and less than half a metre in diameter, it is designed to integrate into existing rigging without interfering with sails or deck operations.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rigging
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Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
At one point, much to the producers’ chagrin, the singer climbed a tall utility poll without any safety rigging.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
The Cook Auditorium was opened in 1935 — replacing the high school’s original Greek Revival–style auditorium that had been severely damaged in the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake — and closed in 2019 for renovations to address safety concerns with the now decades-old rigging system.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Standing at around one metre tall and less than half a metre in diameter, it is designed to integrate into existing rigging without interfering with sails or deck operations.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 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 14 Feb. 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)
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