rigging

noun

rig·​ging ˈri-giŋ 

-gən

1

a

: lines and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars

b

: a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support and manipulation

2

: clothing

Synonyms

• apparel
• attire
• clobber [British slang]
• clothes
• clothing
• costumery
• dress
• duds
• garments
• gear
• habiliment(s)
• habit [archaic]
• rags
• raiment
• rig
• threads
• toggery
• togs
• vestiary
• vestments
• vesture
• wear
• wearables
• weeds

Examples of rigging in a Sentence

They checked the rigging before they set sail.

even at the Ivies they dress in the standard rigging of the college student: T-shirt and jeans

Recent Examples on the Web

The Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice announced in a news release last week that 62-year-old Kris Bird, of Salmon, submitted a guilty plea in late March for seven charges — five counts of wire fraud and one count each of bid rigging and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2025

The group uses boats that can be outfitted for those with limited mobility, with custom seats and easy-to-handle rigging. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2025

Porter was accused of rigging games across the landscape, including within the NBA. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025

Newsmax has settled another lawsuit brought by Smartmatic, another election company that also was at the center of false election rigging claims. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ragging, riggyng fitting out of a ship

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for rigging

• digging
• jigging

Kids Definition

rigging

noun

rig·​ging ˈrig-iŋ 

-ən

1

: the ropes and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars

2

: equipment for supporting and working something (as theater scenery)