rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: 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

Ilona Maher, an American rugby player, used TikTok to showcase her journey with dance and femininity, drawing attention back to Dancing With The Stars, while narrating her experience as a woman in sport. —Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

The Eagles built on past techniques and at one point brought in former Scottish rugby player Richie Gray to advise them. —Dianna Russini, New York Times, 21 May 2025

The professional rugby player was unveiled as one of the stars of the upcoming summer 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, which is scheduled to arrive in May. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Badgley's sports drama Forever Strong, which was released in 2008, was about a rugby player. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 23 Apr. 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