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

Carrillo also played rugby, is bilingual, and was in the Eco Club and Cesar Chavez Service Club. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025

Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata, an Australian who grew up playing rugby, made it to the NFL through the league’s International Player Pathway Program. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025

Charles' niece Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were in another carriage, while Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband, former professional rugby player Mike Tindall, were in the fourth carriage. —Simon Perry, People.com, 19 June 2025

His director and dramaturg, Ellie Coote, is a childhood friend with whose brother Godfrey played rugby. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 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