I. rig 1 /rɪɡ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle rigged , present participle rigging ) [transitive]
[ Sense 1-2: Date: 1700-1800 ; Origin: rig 'trick' (18-19 centuries) . ]
[ Sense 3: Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . to dishonestly arrange the result of an election or competition before it happens SYN fix :
Some international observers have claimed the election was rigged.
2 . if people rig prices or rig financial markets, they unfairly agree with each other the prices that will be charged SYN fix ⇨ cartel :
Two of the largest oil companies have been accused of rigging prices.
Some investors feel that the market is rigged.
3 . [usually passive] to put ropes, sails etc on a ship:
The ship was fully rigged and ready to sail.
rig somebody ↔ out phrasal verb British English informal
to dress someone in special or unusual clothes:
young children who are rigged out in designer clothes
rig something ↔ up phrasal verb informal
to make a piece of equipment, furniture etc quickly from objects that you find around you:
We rigged up a simple shower at the back of the cabin.
II. rig 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a large structure that is used for getting oil from the ground under the sea
2 . American English informal a large truck:
We drove the rig down to Baltimore.
3 . the way in which a ship’s sails are arranged