# rig

/ˈɹɪɡ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rig
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. industrial equipment

noun · CEFR B2

a large structure or piece of equipment used for a specific job, like drilling for oil.

For teachers: a large, complex apparatus or structure designed for a specific industrial purpose, particularly for drilling oil or gas.

- The workers spent months living on the oil rig in the middle of the ocean.
- Engineers were dispatched to the offshore rig to repair a critical failure in the primary drilling mechanism before the storm arrived.

### 2. large truck

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a very large truck, especially one that pulls a long trailer.

For teachers: a large tractor-trailer or semi-truck used for long-haul transport.

- The highway was full of big rigs carrying goods across the country.
- The driver maneuvered the massive rig into the narrow loading dock with impressive precision despite the heavy rain.

### 3. computer or gear

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a set of equipment for a hobby, like a powerful computer for gaming or a musician's gear.

For teachers: a customized set of equipment or hardware, frequently used in gaming, music production, or radio communications.

- He spent thousands of dollars building a high-end gaming rig with the latest graphics card.
- The guitarist spent an hour before the show fine-tuning his touring rig to ensure the sound was perfect for the venue.

### 4. sailing equipment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the ropes and sails on a ship.

For teachers: the arrangement of masts, sails, and rigging on a sailing vessel.

- The captain checked the ship's rig to make sure it could handle the strong winds.
- The schooner featured a complex rig that required a highly disciplined crew to manage during sudden squalls.

### 5. to fix dishonestly

verb · CEFR B2

to arrange the result of something, like an election or a game, in a dishonest way.

For teachers: to manipulate or manage a process, such as an election or competition, fraudulently to produce a desired result.

- People protested because they believed the election was rigged.
- The investigation revealed that several high-ranking officials had conspired to rig the bidding process for the new stadium contract.

### 6. to set up quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to build or fix something quickly using whatever materials you have.

For teachers: to construct or assemble something in a makeshift or hurried manner, often using available materials.

- We managed to rig up a temporary shelter using a plastic sheet and some rope.
- The technicians had to rig up a bypass system overnight to keep the server room cool after the main air conditioning failed.

Usage: often used with 'up' as a phrasal verb

## Examples

- He spent all his savings on a high-end gaming rig.
- The offshore drilling rig operates twenty-four hours a day to maintain steady production levels.
- Upgrading his streaming rig required not only a faster processor but also a sophisticated cooling system to handle the increased thermal load during live broadcasts.

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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.