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

Norway’s Jørgen Strand Larsen couldn’t convert a penalty kick after a very slow and hesitant run-up. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026

Some analysts who spoke to ABC News attributed the drawdown to a phenomenon called profit-taking, when traders sell off some of their shares to lock in returns after a prolonged run-up in price. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 June 2026

Verb

Reformer drop-ins, by comparison, start at $35 and run up to $60. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

The Dutch could be motivated to run up the score, considering the group winner could come down to goal differential. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 June 2026

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