1 scrum | Definition of scrum

scrum

noun
\ ˈskrəm How to pronounce scrum (audio) \

Definition of scrum

1a or scrummage \ ˈskrÉ™-​mij How to pronounce scrummage (audio) \ : a rugby play in which the forwards of each side come together in a tight formation and struggle to gain possession of the ball using their feet when it is tossed in among them also : the arrangement of players in a scrum
b : a usually brief and disorderly struggle or fight : scrape, scuffle
2a British : madhouse sense 2
b : a usually tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng

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Other Words from scrum

scrummage intransitive verb

Synonyms for scrum

Synonyms

army, bike [chiefly Scottish], cram, crowd, crush, drove, flock, herd, horde, host, legion, mass, mob, multitude, press, rout, swarm, throng

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Examples of scrum in a Sentence

I had to fight my way through the scrum of holiday shoppers at the mall. when the server spilled a drink on a customer, they got into a bit of a scrum before being separated

Recent Examples on the Web

In the third minute of stoppage time, midfielder Nicolás Gaitán shipped a crisp pass towards the scrum of players in the box. Glynn A. Hill, Houston Chronicle, "Dynamo suffer shutout loss to Fire," 3 Aug. 2019 The shows include post-match media scrums with real journalists and sports photographers at ringside. Adam Abdalla, Dallas News, "New Japan Pro-Wrestling makes its live Dallas debut tonight — and you can thank Mark Cuban for it," 6 July 2019 The terminal in Pristina was a scrum of police and reporters. The Economist, "Confessions of an Islamic State fighter," 16 Aug. 2019 Rookie safety Sheldrick Redwine and Colts wide receiver Deon Cain went at it, which brought Browns safety J.T. Hassell into the scrum along with Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal. Dan Labbe, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns joint practice report: Things get heated as fights break out," 15 Aug. 2019 Diomande secured a brace by barely getting a shot over the line after a scrum in front of the goal following a corner kick. Jordan Culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City falls 4-1 at LAFC, extends MLS losing streak," 9 July 2018 The girls didn’t treat the game like an exhibition, with physical play, scrums for loose balls and hard fouls on both sides. Paul Shepherd, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Junior All-Stars get boost from Dawand Jones, but are swept by Kentucky juniors," 3 June 2018 Scott thought Upshaw had run into somebody during the play, or had gotten injured during a scrum for an offensive rebound. George Stoia, Detroit Free Press, "G-Leaguer Zeke Upshaw diagnosed with heart disease year before he died," 2 June 2018 In 1976, women joined the scrum for the first time. Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post, "‘Plebes no more’: After 2 hours 9 minutes, Naval Academy freshmen conquer greased monument," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of scrum

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for scrum

short for scrummage, alteration of scrimmage

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More Definitions for scrum

scrum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of scrum

: a way of starting play again in which players from each team come together and try to get control of the ball by pushing against each other and using their feet when the ball is thrown in between them
: the group of players who are involved in a scrum
: a large group of people who are close together in one place

More from Merriam-Webster on scrum

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with scrum

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scrum