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
Actually, make that three nations since in rugby union, the Irish national team represents both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
The goal is to provide more access to a rugby pitch in the Charlotte area.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
His favorite sports were football, mountain biking, mountain climbing, mixed martial arts and rugby.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025
They were fascinated to see these guys, careering around the field in wheelchairs, playing basketball, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, everything.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugby
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
The goal is to provide more access to a rugby pitch in the Charlotte area.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
His favorite sports were football, mountain biking, mountain climbing, mixed martial arts and rugby.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2025
They were fascinated to see these guys, careering around the field in wheelchairs, playing basketball, wheelchair rugby, sitting volleyball, everything.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugby
Cite this Entry
“Rugby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugby. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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