Definition of also–ran
1 : a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2 : a contestant that does not win
3 : one that is of little importance especially competitively was just an also–ran in the scramble for … privileges — C. A. Buss
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1895
First Known Use of also–ran
1895
ALSO–RAN Defined for English Language Learners
also-ran
play
noun
Definition of also–ran for English Language Learners
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: a person who has taken part in an election or contest and did not win
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