1
a
: the usual run of persons or things : generality
… trying to rise above the ruck …—Richard Holt
b
: an indistinguishable gathering : jumble
2
: the persons or things following the vanguard
finished the race in the ruck
rucked; rucking; rucks
: to walk or run while wearing supplementary weight (such as a weighted backpack or vest or wrist weights) for exercise : to engage in rucking
To ruck … is to carry an intentionally heavy backpack while walking or running.—Sue Monshaw
I rucked in a tailor-made rucking backpack with a 20-pound metal plate and a few other belongings inside.—Nina Baker
Nearly 80 veterans and their support teams … are rucking … from Bryant-Denny Stadium to Jordan-Hare Stadium by Saturday.—Landon Wexler
Cite this Entry
“Ruck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruck. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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