scrum

noun \ ˈskrəm \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of scrum

1 a or scrummage play \ˈskrə-mij\ : a rugby play in which the forwards of each side come together in a tight formation and struggle to gain possession of the ball using their feet when it is tossed in among them; also : the arrangement of players in a scrum

b : a usually brief and disorderly struggle or fight : scrape, scuffle

2 a British : madhouse 2

b : a usually tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng

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scrummage

intransitive verb

See scrum defined for English-language learners

Examples of scrum in a Sentence

I had to fight my way through the scrum of holiday shoppers at the mall.
when the server spilled a drink on a customer, they got into a bit of a scrum before being separated

Recent Examples of scrum from the Web

Rapinoe angled a corner kick to midfielder Lindsey Horan who emerged from the scrum unmarked for the tying header.

— glynn a. hill, Houston Chronicle, "U.S. women's soccer team caps two-game sweep of Mexico," 8 Apr. 2018
Up one with under 30 seconds to play, Queens’ Ike Agusi drove the lane and looked to have an easy layup, but Northern’s Logan Doyle got the block and was fouled when a scrum of players dove for the ball.

— tom savage, charlotteobserver, "Queens was on the brink of an NCAA title game. Then, the Royals’ hopes caved in. | Charlotte Observer," 23 Mar. 2018
Buy Photo No matter what happens in the legal scrum over gerrymandered Pennsylvania, there’s activity behind the scenes promising better long-term politics here in the Keystone State.

— john baer, Philly.com, "The emerging story behind the story of Pennsylvania gerrymandering," 30 Jan. 2018
Tarrant County deputies ushered Couch through a tunnel to avoid a media scrum awaiting his release, a reporter with NBC affiliate KXAS said.

— diana samuels, NOLA.com, "'Affluenza teen' Ethan Couch released from jail after serving 2 years," 2 Apr. 2018
In a postgame scrum with reporters, Foster estimated that he's attended 12 to 15 games this season as an emergency backup, which typically amounts to watching the game from the press box and eating dinner.

— tom schad, USA TODAY, "How did a 36-year-old accountant play goalie in Chicago Blackhawks' win?," 30 Mar. 2018
The Blue Jackets third goal came at 5:42 of the third period, 10 seconds after a center-ice scrum sent Florida's Frank Vatrano off on a double-minor for roughing and interference, and Columbus' Zach Werenski off for slashing.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Blue Jackets blitz visiting Panthers early in second period, roll behind Bobrovsky," 23 Mar. 2018
In a scrum with reporters later that day, Lopez spoke of trying to reach the majors soon.

— nick piecoro, azcentral, "Arizona Diamondbacks’ Yoan Lopez is a prospect again," 16 Mar. 2018
Toronto outrebounded Indiana 58-35 and created what seemed like a billion second-change opportunities by tipping the ball out of a scrum in the paint and into the hands of an awaiting guard.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "3 takeaways from Pacers' 106-99 loss to Raptors," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scrum

short for scrummage, alteration of scrimmage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1857

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, secondary, ultimate

SCRUM Defined for English Language Learners

scrum

noun

Definition of scrum for English Language Learners

rugby : a way of starting play again in which players from each team come together and try to get control of the ball by pushing against each other and using their feet when the ball is thrown in between them
: the group of players who are involved in a scrum
: a large group of people who are close together in one place