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

Performers are judged by juries in participating nations and viewers around the world, and this year the broadcasting union tightened voting rules in response to the vote-rigging allegations. —ABC News, 13 May 2026

As captain of the foretop, Peglar would have been a petty officer responsible for overseeing sailors who maintained the sails and rigging of the ship’s foremast. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

The agency, which maintains the vertical-lift bridge, said the $3 million emergency project aims to build scaffolding and rigging lines, remove old parts and install new electrical lines. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026

This was a part of the rigging of the election. —CBS News, 27 Apr. 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)