WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026ruck1 (ruk),USA pronunciation
n.
- a large number or quantity;
mass.
- the great mass of undistinguished or inferior persons or things.
- Scandinavian; compare Norwegian ruka in same senses; akin to rick1
- Middle English ruke, perh. 1175–1225
- a fold or wrinkle;
crease.
v.t., v.i.
- to make or become creased or wrinkled.
- Old Norse hrukka a wrinkle
- 1780–90
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
ruck /rʌk/ n - a large number or quantity; mass, esp of ordinary or undistinguished people or things
- (in a race) a group of competitors who are well behind the leaders at the finish
- a contest between the two packs of forwards to gain control of the ball when it is on the ground after a tackle
Compare maul - the three players, two ruckmen and a rover, that do not have fixed positions but follow the ball closely
vb - (intransitive) to try to win the ball by advancing over it when it is on the ground, driving opponents backwards in the process
Etymology: 13th Century (meaning "heap of firewood"): perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse hraukr rick1 ruck /rʌk/ n - a wrinkle, crease, or fold
vb - (usually followed by up) to become or make wrinkled, creased, or puckered
Etymology: 18th Century: from Scandinavian; related to Old Norse hrukka
'ruck' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):