# NRL

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nrl
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. rugby competition

noun · CEFR B2 · Dialect

Stands for National Rugby League. This is the main professional rugby league competition in Australia and New Zealand.

For teachers: Abbreviation for National Rugby League. The premier professional rugby league competition in Australasia, consisting of teams from Australia and New Zealand.

- He watches the NRL every weekend during the rugby season.
- The NRL grand final attracts millions of viewers across Australia, serving as a major cultural event in the sporting calendar.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the competition.

Teaching tip: This is a highly regional term; while common in Australia and New Zealand, learners in the UK or US may not recognize it without context.

### 2. Naval Research Laboratory

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

Stands for Naval Research Laboratory. It is a research center for the United States Navy.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Naval Research Laboratory. Specifically refers to the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

- The scientist accepted a new position at the NRL in Washington.
- Researchers at the NRL have been instrumental in developing satellite navigation technologies that preceded modern GPS systems.

Usage: Typically used as a proper noun in administrative or scientific contexts.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to US military and scientific circles.

### 3. biology term

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

Stands for nucleosome repeat length. It is a measurement used in biology to describe how DNA is packed.

For teachers: Abbreviation for nucleosome repeat length. A measurement in molecular biology representing the average distance between the centers of adjacent nucleosomes.

- The study measured the NRL to see how the cells were changing.
- Variations in the NRL can indicate significant changes in chromatin structure and gene expression within the cell nucleus.

Usage: Used as a countable noun in scientific literature.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized term used only in genetics and molecular biology.

## Examples

- He watches the NRL every weekend during the winter.
- The NRL grand final is one of the most-watched sporting events in Australia every year.
- Expansion remains a key strategic goal for the NRL as it seeks to establish new franchises in regions with growing participation rates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.