rig

1 of 3

verb (1)

rigged; rigging

transitive verb

1
: to fit out with rigging
rig a ship
2
: clothe, dress
usually used with out
3
: to furnish with special gear : equip
4
a
: to put in condition or position for use : adjust, arrange
a car rigged for manual control
b
: construct
rig up a temporary shelter

rig

2 of 3

noun

1
: the distinctive shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship
2
: equipage
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a specified purpose
an oil-drilling rig
5
: a tractor-trailer combination

rig

3 of 3

verb (2)

rigged; rigging

transitive verb

1
: to manipulate or control usually by deceptive or dishonest means
rig an election
2
: to fix in advance for a desired result
rig the contest

Examples of rig in a Sentence

Verb (1) carefully rigged each diver with the required equipment before starting out Noun He drives a big rig. the rig of a schooner
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
After investigating, the agency arrested eight people for rigging the game by controlling the distribution of the high prize pieces into circulation, bilking more than $20 million from the fast food chain. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed the election technology company Smartmatic with false statements that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, a federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday. Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
The rig will keep showing up at major NFL games throughout the season. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025 With a carbon-fiber tub suspended from an elegant, 16-layer bentwood frame, the setup’s design has more in common with fine furniture than with a typical gaming rig. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rig

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably back-formation from rigging

Verb (2)

rig, noun, a swindle

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rig was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rig. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rig

1 of 3 verb
rigged; rigging
1
: to fit out (as a ship) with rigging
2
: clothe sense 1a, dress
usually used with out
3
a
: to furnish with gear : equip
b
: to set up usually for temporary use : construct
rig up a temporary shelter
rigger noun

rig

2 of 3 noun
1
: the shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship that sets it apart from ships of other types
the rig of a schooner
2
: equipage sense 2
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a certain purpose
an oil-drilling rig

rig

3 of 3 verb
rigged; rigging
: to fix in advance so that the outcome will be known
rig an election
Etymology

Verb

Middle English riggen "to fit out a ship with rigging"

Verb

from earlier rig (noun) "a cheating trick," of unknown origin

More from Merriam-Webster on rig

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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