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

The pitch has been extended in length to allow for rugby matches to be played in the future and also shifted a couple of metres towards the Kop. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

The slate of steals includes cool-weather essentials like fall jackets and autumnal dresses, plus trendier pieces like rugby tops, slouchy jeans, and designer bags (hello, Tory Burch). —Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 15 Aug. 2025

Under these rules, flag will become more like tackle football and rugby. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025

Attendees commit to an activity such as cricket or touch rugby for an hour, and then spend the rest of the evening with the full group of guests. —Vivi Vitalone sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 9 Aug. 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