noun

rig

rihg

noun

A large piece of equipment used for a specific task, especially for drilling or trucking.

"The oil rig operated around the clock offshore."

"He drove an eighteen-wheel rig across three states."

The sails, masts, and ropes of a sailing ship, collectively.

"The old schooner's rig needed extensive repair."

verb

To equip or set something up, often quickly or improvised.

"They rigged up a shelter from tarps and branches."

To manipulate something dishonestly to produce a desired outcome.

"Investigators found the election had been rigged."

"He was accused of rigging the bidding process."

How to Use Rig

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a piece of heavy equipment (like a truck or drilling platform), or, as a verb, to set something up — or to dishonestly fix an outcome.

Common mistake

When rig means "to manipulate dishonestly," it needs an object: you rig an election, not just "rig".

Common pairings

rig an election oil rig rig up a solution

Word Forms

rigged past tense, rigged past tense, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs singular, rigs singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The oil _____ operated around the clock offshore.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, probably North Germanic; compare Norwegian rigge (\"to rig, equip\").

Rhymes for rig

prig brig trig frig Gehrig

See all rhymes for rig →