1
a
or scrummage : 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 sense 2
b
: a usually tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng
scrummage intransitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scrum started after Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson collided with a Commanders defender who was blocking for his quarterback Drake Maye, leading the players on the field to join in on the scuffle. Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Texas lawmakers' work to draw new congressional boundaries to advantage Republicans has ignited a national scrum over redistricting. Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Then, from deep inside the scrum, a football soared straight into the air, followed by two players’ rising hands until one victoriously swatted it back into the mosh pit. Jeff Howe, New York Times, 31 July 2025 The two firefighters instructed the correspondent to swim out from shore, past seven sets of breakers, where a scrum of surfers lingered astride their boards. Henry Alford, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrum

Word History

Etymology

short for scrummage, alteration of scrimmage

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrum was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrum. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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