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

Elordi began acting in earnest at the age of 16, after breaking his back while playing rugby. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025

Andrews, a student, rugby player and soccer player from Leigh — located about 15 miles outside Manchester — had visited his primary care doctor just weeks before being taken to the hospital by his father, complaining of an unknown illness, the outlets reported. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

The stadium sits alongside The Sevens Stadium, which hosts an annual rugby sevens tournament known for hard-partying fans drinking restricted alcohol and wearing costumes. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025

Standout players included the surprise Sherlock, rugby player Joe Marler, and comedian Alan Carr, who sweat buckets from the very first moment he was made a Traitor. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

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