Rugby

[ ruhg-bee ]

noun

1. Usually rugby. Also called rugger, a form of football, played between two teams of 15 members each, that differs from soccer in freedom to carry the ball, block with the hands and arms, and tackle, and is characterized chiefly by continuous action and prohibition against the use of substitute players.
2. a town in Warwickshire, in central England.
3. a coeducational preparatory school in Rugby, England, founded in 1567.

rugby

¹

/ ˈrʌɡbɪ /

noun

1. Also calledrugger a form of football played with an oval ball in which the handling and carrying of the ball is permitted
2. another name for Canadian football

Rugby

²

/ ˈrʌɡbɪ /

noun

1. a town in central England, in E Warwickshire: famous public school, founded in 1567. Pop: 61 988 (2001)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rugby¹

Probably earlier than 1835–40 Rugby fordef 1; Middle English Rokeby, Rookby, Old English Rocheberie, possibly earlier Hrōcaburg, Hrōceburh (unrecorded) “Hroca's fort,” influenced by Old Norse býr “town, settlement”; borough ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rugby¹

C19: named after the public school at Rugby, where it was first played

Example Sentences

Welsh rugby is in the doldrums and there is no respite as South Africa's revered rugby juggernaut rolls into Cardiff.

From BBC

In terms of results, 2024 will be remembered as the worst in Wales' 143-year international rugby union history.

From BBC

Wales have lost each of their last 11 Test matches, their longest ever run in men's rugby, overtaking a 10-game stretch between November 2002 and August 2003.

From BBC

This shift in style is in direct contrast to the more attritional approach England adopted in Borthwick’s first year in charge, which culminated with a third-placed finish at the Rugby World Cup in France.

From BBC

The Springboks arrive in Cardiff after winning the Rugby Championship and have 10 victories from 12 Tests this year underlining a gulf between the teams in terms of form.

From BBC

Related Words

• soccer