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

Tyler officially caught the singing bug after placing second at the talent show hosted by a local rugby club. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

These three sports experts are likely to discuss the ongoing World Cup and some of the most important international rugby games of the year, also happening in July, the Nations Championship and the World Rugby Nations Cup. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Lee started every game last year, was an 88% goalkicker and scored the most points in world test rugby. — ABC News, 4 July 2026

Former rugby player Danny Cipriani proposed to Days of Our Lives actress AnnaLynne McCord on Christmas Day 2025, but the couple shared the news exclusively with PEOPLE in April 2026. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 27 June 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 population 71,000