rig up

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rig up verb

1. (tr, adverb) to erect or construct, esp as a temporary measure: cameras were rigged up to televise the event

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rig /rɪg/   v., rigged, rig•ging, n. 
v. [~ + object]

1. • Naval Terms to fit (a ship, etc.) with ropes, chains, etc.:
     The new ship was rigged for its first sail.
2. to furnish with equipment:
   The truck was rigged with a roof rack.
3. to assemble, install, or prepare: [~ (+ up) + object]
   The campers rigged (up) a shelter from tree branches.
   [~ + object (+ up)]
   rigged a shelter (up) from branches.
4. to arrange in a dishonest way;
   fix:
   to rig prices.

n. 

5. Nautical, Naval Terms [countable] the arrangement of the masts, sails, etc., on a ship.
6. a device or apparatus designed for some purpose:
   [countable] an oil-drilling rig.
7. Transport a tractor-trailer truck:
   [countable] an eighteen-wheel rig.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rig  (rig), v., rigged, rig•ging, n. 
v.t. 

1. [Chiefly Naut.]
   • Naval Terms to put in proper order for working or use.
   • Naval Terms to fit (a ship, mast, etc.) with the necessary shrouds, stays, etc.
   • Naval Terms to fit (shrouds, stays, sails, etc.) to the mast, yard, or the like.
2. to furnish or provide with equipment, clothing, etc.;
   fit (usually fol. by out or up).
3. to assemble, install, or prepare (often fol. by up).
4. to manipulate fraudulently:
   to rig prices.
5. Nautical, Naval Terms rig down, to place in an inactive state, stowing all lines, tackles, and other removable parts.
6. rig up, to equip or set up for use.

n. 
7. Nautical, Naval Terms the arrangement of the masts, spars, sails, etc., on a boat or ship.
8. apparatus for some purpose;
   equipment;
   outfit;
   gear:
   a hi-fi rig; Bring your rod and reel and all the rest of your fishing rig.
9. Also called drill rig. the equipment used in drilling an oil well.
10. Transport any combination trucking unit in which vehicles are hooked together, as a tractor-trailer.
11. Transport any kind of truck.
12. Transport a carriage, buckboard, sulky, or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it.
13. Informal Terms costume or dress, esp. when odd or conspicuous, or when designated for a particular purpose:
    He looks quite nifty in a butler's rig.
• Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish rigg (noun, nominal), rigga (verb, verbal)
• 1480–90; 1930–35 for def. 4; probably