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
Leiweke was accused of orchestrating a bid-rigging plot to ensure that OVG landed the contract to build the Moody Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Jan. 2026
The sports leagues have promised to tighten internal controls to track suspicious activity and have worked with sports gambling partners to cap wager amounts in certain performance-specific bets, which many observers have said are ripe for rigging.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2025
The scandal is the latest incident linked to this year's turbulent Miss Universe contest hosted in Thailand, where organizers have faced walkouts and accusations of rigging.
—Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
As far as gambling encouraging rigging, there’s no need to outlaw prop betting or sports gambling in general – the government can sit this one out.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigging
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Jan. 2026
The sports leagues have promised to tighten internal controls to track suspicious activity and have worked with sports gambling partners to cap wager amounts in certain performance-specific bets, which many observers have said are ripe for rigging.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2025
The scandal is the latest incident linked to this year's turbulent Miss Universe contest hosted in Thailand, where organizers have faced walkouts and accusations of rigging.
—Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
As far as gambling encouraging rigging, there’s no need to outlaw prop betting or sports gambling in general – the government can sit this one out.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rigging
Cite this Entry
“Rigging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigging. Accessed 3 Jan. 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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