rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē How to pronounce rugby (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The study involved college rugby players who were taking creatine supplements. Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Oct. 2024 This misconception started with a small study of 16 male rugby players who took creatine of 25 grams (g) daily for seven days, then 5 g daily for 14 days. Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten scored a 32 on the Rumba. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Oct. 2024 Score: 24 out of 30 Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher with partner Alan Bersten. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rugby 

Word History

Etymology

Rugby School, Rugby, England

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rugby was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near rugby

Cite this Entry

“Rugby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugby. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rugby

noun
rug·​by ˈrəg-bē How to pronounce rugby (audio)
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 How to pronounce Rugby (audio)
town on the Avon River in Warwickshire, central England population 71,000

More from Merriam-Webster on rugby

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