# rigid

/ˈɹɪdʒəd/ (US) · /ɹˈɪdʒɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. stiff and unbending

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

stiff and difficult to bend or move.

For teachers: physically stiff and resistant to deformation or bending.

- The new plastic is rigid and strong, so it will not break under pressure.
- The structural integrity of the bridge depends on a rigid steel frame that can withstand high winds without swaying.

### 2. strict and unchanging

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

very strict and not easy to change, like a rule or a way of thinking.

For teachers: unwilling or unable to adapt to change; strictly adhering to a set of rules or beliefs.

- The school has rigid rules about what students can wear.
- The manager's rigid adherence to the original schedule prevented the team from exploring more efficient alternatives during the crisis.

### 3. type of airship

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a large aircraft, like a blimp, that has a metal frame inside to keep its shape.

For teachers: an airship whose shape is maintained by a structural framework rather than internal gas pressure.

- Early engineers preferred the rigid because it could carry heavier loads over long distances.
- Unlike the non-rigid blimp, the rigid featured a complex internal skeleton of duralumin girders to support its massive outer skin.

### 4. bicycle without suspension

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a bicycle that does not have any springs or systems to absorb bumps.

For teachers: a bicycle lacking any suspension system in the front fork or rear frame.

- He prefers riding a rigid on smooth trails because it is lighter and faster.
- While modern mountain bikes often feature complex shocks, many purists still enjoy the direct feedback provided by a fully rigid frame.

## Examples

- The metal bar is rigid and won't bend.
- The airline maintains rigid safety protocols to ensure that every aircraft is checked thoroughly before takeoff.
- In aviation engineering, certain components must remain rigid under extreme pressure, while others require a degree of elasticity to absorb the vibrations of flight.

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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.