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 match in Kansas City is part of a tour of games for the U.S. women’s and men’s rugby teams. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025

Alex Gray: The rugby player who became a Gladiator Gray, a former England Under-20 rugby union captain, was part of the first IPP group eight years ago. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Besides basketball and soccer there are also other sports such as cricket, rugby and volleyball that are attracting global investments and increasing commercial opportunities. —Brad Adgate, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Kate Middleton and Prince William have their game faces on at the Wales vs. England Six Nations Match, attending the rugby game for the first time in years. —Janine Henni, People.com, 15 Mar. 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