rig

[ rig ]

verb (used with object)

, rigged, rig·ging.

1. Chiefly Nautical.
   1. to put in proper order for working or use.
   2. to fit (a ship, mast, etc.) with the necessary shrouds, stays, etc.
   3. to fit (shrouds, stays, sails, etc.) to the mast, yard, or the like.
2. to manipulate fraudulently:

   Two leading companies in the industry were fined for rigging prices.

3. to assemble, install, or prepare (often followed by up ).
4. to furnish or provide with equipment, clothing, etc.; fit (usually followed by out or up ):

   The ground crew rigged us out in leather helmets and bomber jackets.

noun

1. the arrangement of the masts, spars, sails, etc., on a boat or ship.
2. apparatus for some purpose; equipment; outfit; gear:

   Bring your rod and reel and all the rest of your fishing rig.

   This other PC over here is my main gaming rig.

3. Also called drill rig. the equipment used in drilling an oil well.
4. any combination trucking unit in which vehicles are hooked together, as a tractor-trailer.
5. any kind of truck.
6. a carriage, buckboard, sulky, or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it.
7. Informal. costume or dress, especially when odd or conspicuous, or when designated for a particular purpose:

   He looks quite nifty in a butler's rig.

verb phrase

1. to equip or set up for use.
2. Nautical. to place in an inactive state, stowing all lines, tackles, and other removable parts.

rig

¹

/ rɪɡ /

verb

1. nautical to equip (a vessel, mast, etc) with (sails, rigging, etc)
2. nautical to set up or prepare ready for use
3. to put the components of (an aircraft, etc) into their correct positions
4. to manipulate in a fraudulent manner, esp for profit

   to rig an election

   to rig prices

noun

1. nautical the distinctive arrangement of the sails, masts, and other spars of a vessel
2. the installation used in drilling for and exploiting natural oil and gas deposits In fulldrilling rig

   an oil rig

3. apparatus or equipment; gear
4. an amateur radio operator's transmitting and receiving set
5. a carriage together with one or more horses
6. an articulated lorry

rig

²

/ rɪɡ /

noun

1. dialect.
   a ridge or raised strip of unploughed land in a ploughed field

Other Words From

• outrig verb (used with object) outrigged outrigging
• over·rigged adjective
• under·rigged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

First recorded in 1480–90; 1930–35 rig fordef 2; probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish rigg (noun), rigga (verb)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

C15: from Scandinavian; related to Norwegian rigga to wrap

Origin of rig²

a variant of ridge

Example Sentences

A hazardous fire broke out in San Pedro around noon on Thursday after a big rig carrying lithium ion batteries overturned, causing at least one battery to explode, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s message this year is to make the turnout “too big to rig.”

From Los Angeles Times

But those who believe conspiracy theories about widespread fraud see these incidents as evidence of a co-ordinated plan by Democrats to “rig” the election.

From BBC

The campaign has been papering Pennsylvania with signs like, “Swamp them with votes,” “Make it too big to rig,” and “Vote early today!”

From Salon

When they have her walking, they use this rig to get her walking.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• machinery