rigger

American  

[rig-er] / ˈrɪg ər /

noun

1. a person who rigs.

2. a person whose occupation is the fitting of the rigging of ships.

3. a person who works with hoisting tackle, cranes, scaffolding, etc.

4. a protective structure around a construction site.

5. Aeronautics.

   1. a mechanic skilled in the assembly, adjustment, and alignment of aircraft control surfaces, wings, and the like.

   2. parachute rigger.

---

rigger British  

/ ˈrɪɡə /

noun

1. a workman who rigs vessels, etc

2. rowing a bracket on a racing shell or other boat to support a projecting rowlock

3. a person skilled in the use of pulleys, lifting gear, cranes, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of rigger

First recorded in 1605–15; rig + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The man who died worked as a rigger, Deadline reported, and he died on set.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

An inquest in 2019 heard Mr Bowry was a rigger with 15 years' experience.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2023

Asked what Trump meant by the term, Cheung defined a rigger as “a person who rigs an event or system.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023

He thought about Jimmy Palmer, a rigger with the crane company who had become a close friend but died of cancer before he could help bring Lee down.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2023

He went on to train as a parachute rigger and was sent to Panama.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge