scrum

[skruhm]

noun

1. a rugby play in which three members of each team line up opposite one another with a group of two and a group of three players behind them: the ball is then rolled between the opposing front lines and players attempt to kick the ball backward to a teammate.

2. a project management method often used in agile development, centering around a small team with a schedule of short, fixed-length work cycles, each of which is used to complete some chunk of a complex or ongoing project.

3. a place or situation of confusion and racket; hubbub.

4. a chaotic, rushed attempt by multiple reporters to question one or more politicians, celebrities, etc..

   The minister always left meetings through a back door to avoid the daily scrum.

verb (used without object)

scrummed, scrumming 

1. to engage in a scrum.

scrum

/ skrʌm /

noun

1. rugby the act or method of restarting play after an infringement when the two opposing packs of forwards group together with heads down and arms interlocked and push to gain ground while the scrum half throws the ball in and the hookers attempt to scoop it out to their own team. A scrum is usually called by the referee ( set scrum ) but may be formed spontaneously ( loose scrum )

2. informal,  a disorderly struggle

verb

1. rugby to form a scrum

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrum¹

First recorded in 1885–90; short for scrummage

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrum¹

C19: shortened from _scrummage

Example Sentences

McGhie then broke from Scotland's half to set up Scotland's third, the forwards trucked it up to the line allowing Brebner-Holden the opportunity to snipe as all good scrum halves do.

From BBC

The scrum was dominant, especially in the early exchanges.

From BBC

The United States were similarly overpowered at the scrum, conceding three penalties in the opening 20 minutes.

From BBC

They jump in the line-out, and bind the scrum together and drive it forward.

From BBC

He made them walk through a media scrum to meet him, pressuring them to complete the project and get costs under control.

From BBC