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

He has alleged that previous presidential elections were rigged - a claim denied by the government.

From BBC

Meanwhile, traditional truck builders are selling their own electric big rigs, and can’t keep up with demand.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the users he reinstated was Trump, who had been banned following the Capitol riot in January 2021 after continuing to claim the 2020 election had been rigged against him.

From BBC

In Guanajuato state, the explosion of two car bombs highlighted the escalation of cartel warfare, with some criminal groups now arming themselves with grenade launchers and drones rigged with explosives.

From Los Angeles Times

A number of right-wing influencers and organisations pushing stories about “cheating” and a “rigged” vote pointed to incomplete vote totals and continued to repeat discredited theories about the 2020 election.

From BBC

Related Words

• machinery