rig

[rig]

verb (used with object)

rigged, rigging 

1. Chiefly Nautical.

   1. to put in proper order for working or use.

   2. to fit (a ship, mast, etc.) with the necessary shrouds, stays, etc.

   3. to fit (shrouds, stays, sails, etc.) to the mast, yard, or the like.

2. to manipulate fraudulently.

   Two leading companies in the industry were fined for rigging prices.

3. to assemble, install, or prepare (often followed byup ).

4. to furnish or provide with equipment, clothing, etc.; fit (usually followed by out orup ).

   The ground crew rigged us out in leather helmets and bomber jackets.

noun

1. the arrangement of the masts, spars, sails, etc., on a boat or ship.

2. apparatus for some purpose; equipment; outfit; gear.

   Bring your rod and reel and all the rest of your fishing rig.

   This other PC over here is my main gaming rig.

3. Also called drill rig. the equipment used in drilling an oil well.

4. any combination trucking unit in which vehicles are hooked together, as a tractor-trailer.

5. any kind of truck.

6. a carriage, buckboard, sulky, or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it.

7. Informal.,  costume or dress, especially when odd or conspicuous, or when designated for a particular purpose.

   He looks quite nifty in a butler's rig.

verb phrase

1. rig up,  to equip or set up for use.

2. rig down,  to place in an inactive state, stowing all lines, tackles, and other removable parts.

rig

¹

/ rɪɡ /

verb

1. nautical to equip (a vessel, mast, etc) with (sails, rigging, etc)

2. nautical to set up or prepare ready for use

3. to put the components of (an aircraft, etc) into their correct positions

4. to manipulate in a fraudulent manner, esp for profit

   to rig prices

   to rig an election

noun

1. nautical the distinctive arrangement of the sails, masts, and other spars of a vessel

2. In full: drilling rig. the installation used in drilling for and exploiting natural oil and gas deposits

   an oil rig

3. apparatus or equipment; gear

4. an amateur radio operator's transmitting and receiving set

5. a carriage together with one or more horses

6. an articulated lorry

rig

²

/ rɪɡ /

noun

1. dialect,  a ridge or raised strip of unploughed land in a ploughed field

Other Word Forms

• outrig verb (used with object)
• overrigged adjective
• underrigged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

First recorded in 1480–90; 1930–35 rig for def. 2; probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish rigg (noun), rigga (verb)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

C15: from Scandinavian; related to Norwegian rigga to wrap

Origin of rig²

a variant of _ridge

Example Sentences

The Venezuelan leader claimed victory in last year's elections, widely viewed as rigged by international observers.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the White House is siccing militarized forces on American cities, trying to deport planeloads of children and attempting to rig the 2026 midterms.

From Los Angeles Times

For the main theater, to avoid changing the building’s historic roofline, crews excavated below the original slab, lowering the stage and audience levels so catwalks, rigging and lighting grids could fit under the low profile.

From Los Angeles Times

For the beleaguered people of Venezuela, mired in more than a decade of crisis — hyperinflation, food shortages, authoritarian rule and rigged elections — a new phase of anxiety is once again rattling nerves.

From Los Angeles Times

Citing the cost of living and climate crises, Greer said Scotland was "rigged" in favour of the super-rich, big polluters and "greedy landlords".

From BBC

Related Words

• falsify 
• fix 
• manipulate 
• tamper with