rig

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈrig How to pronounce rig (audio)
rigged; rigging
Synonyms of rignext

transitive verb

1
: to fit out with rigging
rig a ship
2
: clothe, dress
—usually used with out
3
: to furnish with special gear : equip
4
a
: to put in condition or position for use : adjust, arrange
a car rigged for manual control
b
: construct
rig up a temporary shelter

rig

2 of 3

noun

1
: the distinctive shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship
2
: equipage
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
: clothing, dress
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a specified purpose
an oil-drilling rig
5
: a tractor-trailer combination

rig

3 of 3

verb (2)

rigged; rigging

transitive verb

1
: to manipulate or control usually by deceptive or dishonest means
rig an election
2
: to fix in advance for a desired result
rig the contest

Synonyms of rig

Relevance

Verb (1)

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of rig in a Sentence

Verb (1) carefully rigged each diver with the required equipment before starting out Noun He drives a big rig. the rig of a schooner
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Visual effects supervisor Guillaume Rocheron, who worked on Jordan Peele’s Nope, rigged the LED lighting in the stomach to eventually render as the bioluminescence that then helps illuminate Jay’s environment. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Though there are many ways to rig them, wacky style is the most common — and arguably the deadliest. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
Related Stories Speaking at View Conference in Turin on Thursday, Hickel, who recently marked 30 years at ILM, detailed how the team mixed digital animation with physical sets, mechanical rigs and traditional stop-motion. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 These laptops blend power-efficient Arm chips with desktop-class GPU capabilities in thin-and-light designs, providing power that exceeds gaming rigs and workstations in some aspects. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rig

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

probably back-formation from rigging

Verb (2)

rig, noun, a swindle

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rig was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing rig

Rhymes for rig

See All Rhymes for rig

Browse Nearby Words

Rift Valley fever
rig
Riga
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rig. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rig

1 of 3 verb
ˈrig How to pronounce rig (audio)
rigged; rigging
1
: to fit out (as a ship) with rigging
2
: clothe sense 1a, dress
—usually used with out
3
a
: to furnish with gear : equip
b
: to set up usually for temporary use : construct
rig up a temporary shelter
rigger noun

rig

2 of 3 noun
1
: the shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship that sets it apart from ships of other types
the rig of a schooner
2
: equipage sense 2
especially : a carriage with its horse
3
: clothing sense 1
4
: tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a certain purpose
an oil-drilling rig

rig

3 of 3 verb
rigged; rigging
: to fix in advance so that the outcome will be known
rig an election
Etymology

Verb

Middle English riggen "to fit out a ship with rigging"

Verb

from earlier rig (noun) "a cheating trick," of unknown origin

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