1
a
or scrummage : 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
2
a
British : madhouse sense 2
b
: a usually tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng
scrummage intransitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In between, the Sabres and Senators had a five-man scrum after the whistle in front of Ottawa’s bench. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Branch and Smith-Schuster were at the center of a scrum following the Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Lions on Sunday, and Franklin was all for it. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 In the postgame scrum, while happy with the win, the Stars’ coach was not enamored of Middleton’s play. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five. Touré, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrum

Word History

Etymology

short for scrummage, alteration of scrimmage

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrum was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrum. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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