rig
Rig (noun) means a large piece of equipment used for a specific task, especially for drilling or trucking. Example: “The oil rig operated around the clock offshore.”
How to use rig
Learner’s notesIn 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.
When rig means "to manipulate dishonestly," it needs an object: you rig an election, not just "rig".
Word forms
rigged past tense, rigged past tense, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs plural, rigs singular, rigs singular
Fill the gap
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\").
Related words
Rhymes for rig
See all rhymes for rig →Frequently asked questions
What does “rig” mean?
The word “rig” means a large piece of equipment used for a specific task, especially for drilling or trucking. In plain terms, either 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.
How do you pronounce “rig”?
“Rig” is pronounced rihg (/ɹɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rig” in a sentence?
Here is “rig” used in a sentence: “The oil rig operated around the clock offshore.”
What part of speech is “rig”?
Depending on how it is used, “rig” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rig” come from?
The word “rig” comes from Germanic. Origin uncertain, probably North Germanic; compare Norwegian rigge (\"to rig, equip\").
Is “rig” a common word?
“Rig” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rig” have?
“Rig” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large piece of equipment used for a specific task, especially for drilling or trucking.
What is the difference between a rig and an oil rig?
A rig is the general term for a large piece of equipment used for a specific task, such as drilling or trucking. An oil rig is one specific type of rig, built specifically for drilling oil wells.
What is the difference between "rig" used as a verb meaning to set up and "rig" meaning to manipulate dishonestly?
To rig something in the first sense means to equip or assemble it, often quickly or with improvised materials, such as rigging up a shelter. To rig something in the second sense means to manipulate it dishonestly to produce a desired outcome, as in rigging an election, and it carries a negative, disapproving tone.
What does "rig" mean when talking about a sailing ship?
On a sailing ship, the rig refers to the sails, masts, and ropes collectively, the equipment that lets the vessel be sailed. This is a distinct noun sense from a rig used for drilling or trucking.
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