rig

1 of 3

verb (1)

rigged; rigging

transitive verb

1
: to fit out with rigging
rig a ship
2
: clothe, dress
usually used with out
3
: to furnish with special gear : equip
4
a
: to put in condition or position for use : adjust, arrange
a car rigged for manual control
b
: construct
rig up a temporary shelter

rig

2 of 3

noun

1
: the distinctive shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship
2
: equipage
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a specified purpose
an oil-drilling rig
5
: a tractor-trailer combination

rig

3 of 3

verb (2)

rigged; rigging

transitive verb

1
: to manipulate or control usually by deceptive or dishonest means
rig an election
2
: to fix in advance for a desired result
rig the contest

Examples of rig in a Sentence

Verb (1) carefully rigged each diver with the required equipment before starting out Noun He drives a big rig. the rig of a schooner
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ocean Sun has developed a flexible floating rig that rises and falls with the waves. New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024 With a camera rig attached to Jennings’ head and a snowboard locked to Harris’ feet, the duo would zip through the air like jet engines, pulling off a series of tricks designed to be seen through the camera lens. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024 The camera cuts to Sarah Sherman as the pop star in a white tank top and fake washboard abs spinning records on a DJ rig. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2024 His backyard was equipped with rigs for high falls, mats to practice flips and a springboard powered by compressed air that launched people end-over-end. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rig 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rig.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably back-formation from rigging

Verb (2)

rig, noun, a swindle

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rig was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rig

Cite this Entry

“Rig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rig. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rig

1 of 3 verb
rigged; rigging
1
: to fit out (as a ship) with rigging
2
: clothe sense 1a, dress
usually used with out
3
a
: to furnish with gear : equip
b
: to set up usually for temporary use : construct
rig up a temporary shelter
rigger noun

rig

2 of 3 noun
1
: the shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship that sets it apart from ships of other types
the rig of a schooner
2
: equipage sense 2
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a certain purpose
an oil-drilling rig

rig

3 of 3 verb
rigged; rigging
: to fix in advance so that the outcome will be known
rig an election
Etymology

Verb

Middle English riggen "to fit out a ship with rigging"

Verb

from earlier rig (noun) "a cheating trick," of unknown origin

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