rig

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈrig 

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

: clothing, dress

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

Synonyms of rig

Verb (1)

• equip
• supply
• furnish
• outfit

Noun

• carriage
• cab
• chariot
• stagecoach

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

Verb

At the meeting, Maitland Mayor John Lowndes, a Democrat who is running against Brodeur for the state Senate seat, spoke out against Dorworth’s assertion that the county’s development process was rigged in favor of preserving the rural boundary. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Trump’s obsession with baseless election fraud claims and threats to rig or militarize our elections won’t help the recent college grad who’s sent out 300 resumes but can’t get a job. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Noun

The electrical rig generates intense, controllable thermal energy without needing radioactive fuel. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026

Neighbors waved to each other, kids played in the street, and the local school bus driver parked her bright yellow rig right in her driveway. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

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

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rig

• Bermuda rig
• big rig
• cat rig
• fore-and-aft rig
• jury-rig
• Marconi rig
• oil rig
• re-rig
• rig the ballot
• schooner rig
• square rig

Rhymes for rig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• sprig
• swig

Kids Definition

rig

1 of 3 verb

ˈrig 

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

: clothing sense 1

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