run-on

1 of 3

adjective

: continuing without rhetorical pause from one line of verse into another

run-on

2 of 3

noun

1
: something (such as a dictionary entry) that is run on
2

run on

3 of 3

verb

ran on; run on; running on; runs on

intransitive verb

1
: to talk or narrate at length
2
: to keep going : continue

transitive verb

1
: to continue (matter in type) without a break or a new paragraph : run in
2
: to place or add (something, such as an entry in a dictionary) at the end of a paragraphed item

Examples of run-on in a Sentence

Verb we were just running on about how neither of us has aged a bit after all these years allow the savings account to run on for now
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The impulse to exaggerate — and vent his frustration in run-on sentences with odd punctuation and random capitalization — is a sure sign Trump is in a swivet. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 While bowl games often live in the awkward space between season finale and way-too-early preview of what’s to come, UCLA is viewing Saturday’s L.A. Bowl at 4:30 p.m. at SoFi Stadium against Mountain West champion Boise State solely as a full-stop punctuation mark for this run-on season. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2023 This will have some partial run-on effect on how returning talk shows operate, as the strike means actors still won’t be able to promote their shows or movies. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'run-on.' 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

Adjective

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of run-on was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near run-on

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

run-on

1 of 3 adjective
ˈrən-ˈȯn,
-ˈän
: continuing without pause from one line of verse to another

run-on

2 of 3 noun
ˈrən-ˌȯn,
-ˌän
1
: a dictionary entry that is run on
2

run on

3 of 3 verb
ˈrən-ˈȯn,
ˌrən-,
-ˈän
1
: to keep going : continue
2
: to talk or tell at length
3
: to place or add (as an entry in a dictionary) at the end of an entry

More from Merriam-Webster on run-on

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!