rigging

/ˈrɪgɪŋ/

/ˈrɪgɪŋ/

Other forms: riggings

Everything on a sailboat or ship that holds the sails up is its rigging. The rigging typically includes masts and ropes.

Sometimes the term rigging is used for just about everything on a sailing vessel, including the sails themselves. You can also use this noun for the process of adjusting or setting up these parts, either on a ship or an airship, parachute, or hang-glider. Rigging comes from the verb rig, which was originally nautical and meant just "to fit with sails."

Definitions of rigging

1. noun

   formation of masts, spars, sails, etc., on a vessel
   synonyms: rig

   types:

   Bermuda rig, Bermudan rig, Bermudian rig, Marconi rig

   a rig of triangular sails for a yacht

   cat rig

   rig of a catboat

   fore-and-aft rig

   rig in which the principal sails are fore-and-aft

   lateen-rig

   the rig on a lateen-rigged sailing vessel

   type of:

   formation

   a particular spatial arrangement
2. noun

   gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
   synonyms: tackle

   type of:

   appurtenance, gear, paraphernalia

   equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.