rundown

1 of 3

noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce rundown (audio)
1
: an item-by-item report or review : summary
2
: a play in baseball in which a base runner who is caught off base is chased by two or more opposing players who throw the ball from one to another in an attempt to tag the runner out

run-down

2 of 3

adjective

1
: being in poor repair : dilapidated
2
3
: completely unwound

run down

3 of 3

verb

ran down; run down; running down; runs down

transitive verb

1
a
: to collide with and knock down
b
: to run against and cause to sink
2
a
: to chase to exhaustion or until captured
b
: to trace the source of
c
: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown
3

intransitive verb

1
: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power
the clock ran down
2
: to decline in physical condition or vigor

Examples of rundown in a Sentence

Noun They gave us a rundown on the main points of the news. a rundown of our public services He was caught in a rundown. Adjective a run-down old house that really should be torn down I'm afraid I'll be staying home today as I'm feeling run-down Verb finally ran down the answer after hours of research constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the issues that went unresolved: Regulatory approval. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2024 Here’s a rundown of some of the best companion pass offers today. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2024 This illusion is shattered by the reality of what Martin’s doing: drugging, raping, and murdering people in a run-down part of Pittsburgh whose urban decay might as well reek of death itself. James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
The 1,700-square-foot family affair is modern and minimalist in its aesthetic: A wooden communal table runs down the center of the room, flanked by small tables, and at the far end is the ordering counter and Jang’s pastry case, where the day’s balanced and earthy and citrusy sweets wait. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 The Coyotes got the ball back and faced a second-and-10 from the Mariners 40 when Llano made his interception and ran down the right sideline 55 yards for a touchdown, giving Pacifica a 45-28 lead. Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rundown 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rundown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rundown was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near rundown

Cite this Entry

“Rundown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rundown. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rundown

1 of 3 noun
run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce rundown (audio)
: an item by item report : summary

run-down

2 of 3 adjective
ˈrən-ˈdau̇n
1
: being in poor condition
a run-down farm
2
: being in or indicating poor health
that run-down feeling

run down

3 of 3 verb
ˈrən-ˈdau̇n
1
: to collide with and knock down
2
a
: to chase until exhausted or captured
b
: to find by search : trace the source of
3
: to stop operating because of the exhaustion of an energy source
the battery ran down

More from Merriam-Webster on rundown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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