Rig

Rig is a term with multiple related but distinct meanings in engineering, transportation, and industry. As a noun, it refers to a set of equipment configured for a particular task or the supporting framework that holds it together. As a verb, it means to assemble, suspend, or arrange equipment, or to manipulate a system, often with negative connotations.

In maritime use, rig denotes the arrangement of masts, sails, and the rigging—ropes, cables, and chains—that enable a vessel to be sailed and controlled. The term also covers the hardware used to hoist and maneuver gear and cargo.

In offshore energy, a drilling rig is a facility or vessel equipped to drill wells for oil or gas. Types include fixed platforms, jack-up rigs, semi-submersibles, and drillships; each provides a stable working environment for drilling crews and equipment.

In film, television, and theater, a rig is the set of supports and platforms that hold lights, cameras, and other gear. The verb form "to rig" can mean to assemble such equipment or to rig a scene. More problematically, "to rig" can describe manipulating a process or outcome, such as an election, which is illegal or unethical.

In transportation, the word rig can refer to the tractor–trailer combination used to haul goods, or more generally to an assembled vehicle unit.