Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of rugby noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rugby

noun
rugby pronunciation English ˈrʌɡbi rugby pronunciation American ˈrʌɡbi
(sometimes Rugby) (also rugby football) [uncountable]
 
a game played by two teams of 13 or 15 players, using an oval ball which may be kicked or carried. Teams try to put the ball over the other team's line.
Named after Rugby school, where the game was first played.