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
In the years after Germany’s Jakob Johnson appeared in 37 games, made 20 starts and scored a touchdown at fullback, New England carried Australian rugby player Jotham Russell on the practice squad as a converted edge-rusher last campaign.
—
Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
The 28-year-old Olympic rugby player partnered with Kendal Fedail, makeup artist to Madison Bailey and Amelia Gray, to bring her rosy glam to life.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 July 2025
Among the most important feasibility requirements for potential host cities: Having not just the infrastructure to host up to four rugby teams at once — the hotels, the practice facilities, etc. — but also the premier venue that can hold a rugby match.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
Last weekend, Denver underscored its place as the undisputed capital of women’s professional rugby in America.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rugby
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
The 28-year-old Olympic rugby player partnered with Kendal Fedail, makeup artist to Madison Bailey and Amelia Gray, to bring her rosy glam to life.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 17 July 2025
Among the most important feasibility requirements for potential host cities: Having not just the infrastructure to host up to four rugby teams at once — the hotels, the practice facilities, etc. — but also the premier venue that can hold a rugby match.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
Last weekend, Denver underscored its place as the undisputed capital of women’s professional rugby in America.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 July 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 30 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share