rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: a football game in which play is continuous without time-outs or substitutions, interference and forward passing are not permitted, and kicking, dribbling, lateral passing, and tackling are featured

Examples of rugby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The soccer and rugby invasion comes as the Bears seem ever closer to pulling up stakes and leaving Soldier Field for a new stadium in Arlington Heights. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

This inclusivity extends far beyond physicality, as women’s rugby has long been a refuge for athletes who feel alienated or unwelcomed in other sports. —Paige Perricone, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025

Some sports, including athletics, swimming and rugby, have done so, but many have yet to finalize a policy on the issue. —Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025

Other clips include Prince George arriving for his first day at St Thomas's school in Battersea, South London, on September 7, 2017, and arriving at Twickenham Stadium for a rugby match between England and Wales on February 26, 2022. —Jack Royston, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Rugby School, Rugby, England

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rugby

noun

rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

often capitalized

: a football game between two teams in which play is continuous and the team that has the ball may run with it, kick it, or pass it sideways or backward but is not allowed to block or make forward passes

Etymology

named for Rugby School in England where the game was first played

Geographical Definition

Rugby

geographical name

Rug·​by ˈrəg-bē 

town on the Avon River in Warwickshire, central England population 71,000