rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

variants often Rugby

: a football game in which play is continuous without time-outs or substitutions, interference and forward passing are not permitted, and kicking, dribbling, lateral passing, and tackling are featured

Examples of rugby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adongo, a former professional rugby player from Kenya who entered the NFL with no American football experience, appeared in games for the Colts in the 2013 and 2015 seasons. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Those two individuals don’t carry titles, but are deeply connected members of the royal family—Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, a former rugby player. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 27 July 2026

The former rugby player signed with the Colts in 2013, according to ESPN. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Adongo, a former rugby player, became the first Kenyan to play in the NFL after the Colts signed him in 2013. — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Rugby School, Rugby, England

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: a football game between two teams in which play is continuous and the team that has the ball may run with it, kick it, or pass it sideways or backward but is not allowed to block or make forward passes

Etymology

named for Rugby School in England where the game was first played

Geographical Definition

Rugby

geographical name

Rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

town on the Avon River in Warwickshire, central England population 71,000