scrum

noun

\ˈskrəm

Definition of scrum

1a or scrummage \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

2a British : madhouse sense 2

b : a usually tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng

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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 on the Web

Management scrums aim to be a bit more mobile than that. — The Economist, "The fashion for agile management is spreading," 5 July 2018 When a turtle is able to claw up and into the scrum, another turtle usually is bumped back into Eola. — Kevin Spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake Eola turtles need sunbathing perches, says club's petition," 10 May 2018 But this new and somehow improved version of Betts may have a leg up on everyone else in the scrum. — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "Why the Piping Hot Mookie Betts Is One of Baseball's Very Best Players," 8 May 2018 Those players had been in the playoff scrums and tasted the champagne geysering in victory celebrations the previous season. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers: Can even LeBron James win it all as a No. 4 seed? -- Bill Livingston (photos)," 10 Apr. 2018 Scott thought Upshaw had run into somebody during the play, or had gotten injured during a scrum for an offensive rebound. — George Stoia, Detroit Free Press, "G-Leaguer Zeke Upshaw diagnosed with heart disease year before he died," 2 June 2018 But the two shots Joel Embiid seemed to enjoy were the ones that Boston point guard Terry Rozier delivered to Embiid’s chest during a brief scrum late in the second quarter. — Ed Barkowitz, Philly.com, "Joel Embiid on skirmish: Terry Rozier's too short," 9 May 2018 There may be scrums in this Penguins-Capitals series that make Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin look like they are tied at the hip, which is fitting. — Michael Rosenberg, SI.com, "Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Hope This Time Is Different Against Sidney Crosby, Penguins," 25 Apr. 2018 Winslow went to the locker room about three minutes before halftime after colliding with 76ers center Joel Embiid during a scrum for a loose ball. — Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, "Heat's Justise Winslow gets stitches above eye, returns to Game 4 vs. 76ers," 21 Apr. 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.

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Last Updated

5 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for scrum

The first known use of scrum was in 1857

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More Definitions for scrum

scrum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of scrum

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

See the full definition for scrum in the English Language Learners Dictionary