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

The stadium is best known as a cathedral of soccer and rugby, yet its history stretches beyond those sports. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Fleece rugbies are on offer alongside Denali full- and half-zips, and big puff is accounted for through a Pertex Nuptse. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Olympic track cycling champion Sophie Capewell, Wales rugby international Lisa Neumann, Team GB rugby player Ellie Boatman and Australian water polo Olympic silver medallist Tilly Kearns have also responded. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Evans highlighted the role Olympians have as their own voices and advocates, pointing to how Ilona Maher has raised the profile for the entire sport of women’s rugby. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 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