rigging

noun

rig·​ging ˈri-giŋ How to pronounce rigging (audio)
-gən
1
a
: lines and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars
b
: a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support and manipulation
2

Examples of rigging in a Sentence

They checked the rigging before they set sail. even at the Ivies they dress in the standard rigging of the college student: T-shirt and jeans
Recent Examples on the Web Ayub repeated the allegations of vote rigging and demanded a probe into last month’s poll. Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has demanded an inquiry into the claims of election rigging, according to the Times of India. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 For years, Trump has railed against early voting and ballot harvesting as tools of election rigging. Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2024 The results were announced more than three days after the polls closed in Thursday’s highly contentious election which was marred by violence and subject to allegations of poll rigging. Heather Chen, CNN, 11 Feb. 2024 And alongside the quashing and the rigging, dozens of elections provide scope for healthy, robust contests in which people can make their voices heard. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 The fact that the PTI, a party that is out of favor with Pakistan’s current senior military leadership, has done so well suggests there was no straightforward rigging across the board. Ayesha Jalal, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2024 This is pure election rigging by this state and sets a dangerous precedent for others to be left off of any ballot with charges that have not been presented or proven. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2024 The main structure is 581 feet (177 meters) high, but an additional section of aerial rigging brings it up to 620 feet. Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rigging.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ragging, riggyng fitting out of a ship

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rigging was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near rigging

Cite this Entry

“Rigging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigging. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rigging

noun
rig·​ging ˈrig-iŋ How to pronounce rigging (audio)
-ən
1
: the ropes and chains used aboard a ship especially in working sail and supporting masts and spars
2
: equipment for supporting and working something (as theater scenery)

More from Merriam-Webster on rigging

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!