earned run

noun

: a run in baseball that scores without benefit of an error before the fielding team has had a chance to make the third putout of the inning

Examples of earned run in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Paid $15 million by the Giants last year, Verlander delivered only a 4-11 record despite a decent 3.85 earned run average in 29 starts. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026 But in 1972, Wood started 25 games on only two days’ rest, winning 12 and permitting fewer than two earned runs per game. Joe Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026 The 29-year-old Shugart made 35 appearances with the Pirates last season, allowing 17 earned runs in 45 innings with 31 strikeouts, 17 walks and 126 ERA+. Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 The 31-year-old allowed a career-high 33 earned runs and posted a career-worst 85 ERA+ this past season. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for earned run

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of earned run was in 1871

Cite this Entry

“Earned run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earned%20run. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

earned run

noun
: a run in baseball that scores without benefit of an error
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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