rig

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈrig 

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

: clothing, dress

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

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• accoutre
• accouter
• equip
• fit (out)
• furnish
• gird
• kit (up or out) [chiefly British]
• outfit
• provision
• supply

Noun

• carriage
• equipage

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

As of last week, the number of rigs drilling wells in the Permian Basin, the largest U.S. oil field, had fallen 3 percent in a month, according to Baker Hughes, an oil field service provider. —Rebecca F. Elliott, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Workers are setting up lighting rigs, and the girls force the boys to make a giant trampoline that is going to double as a bed. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025

Verb

Leisure activities—pickleball, baking—tend to encourage rigging oneself up with just the right gear, and plenty of different product-review sites will recommend the best-fitting sports bra or superior pie dish. —Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 5 May 2025

Smartmatic sued the network four years ago, claiming that its hosts and guests amplified claims that the company was involved in rigging the 2020 presidential election. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing rig

• Bermuda rig
• big rig
• cat rig
• fore-and-aft rig
• jury-rig
• Marconi rig
• oil rig
• re-rig
• rig the ballot
• schooner rig
• square rig

Rhymes for rig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• sprig
• swig

Kids Definition

rig

1 of 3 verb

ˈrig 

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

: clothing sense 1

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