run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The pressure is on for Oracle Corp. to deliver another quarter of accelerating revenue growth driven by spending on artificial intelligence after a run-up in its shares this year. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025

According to internal company data reviewed by Reuters, Amazon listed 5.4 million U.S. sign-ups over the 21-day run-up to Prime Day and the four-day event from July 8 to July 11. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

For someone like me, who has trouble picturing things that are not immediately in front of her, watching people run up the hill was illuminating. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025

But there are plenty of other quality espresso machines running up to 40% off during the sale. —Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill