hit-and-run

1 of 3

adjective

ˌhit-ᵊn-ˈrən 

1

: being or relating to a hit-and-run in baseball

2

: being or involving a motor-vehicle driver who does not stop after being involved in an accident

3

: involving or intended for quick specific action or results

a hit-and-run raid

hit-and-run

2 of 3

noun

: a baseball play calling for a runner on first to begin running as a pitch is delivered and for the batter to attempt to hit the pitch

hit-and-run

3 of 3

verb

hit-and-ran; hitting-and-running; hit-and-runs

intransitive verb

: to execute a hit-and-run play in baseball

Examples of hit-and-run in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These include police investigating a hit-and-run and looking to confirm a license plate and direction of travel, Cortez said. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026

The incident began at about 5:20 p.m. on April 8, when police responded to a request for help from the California Highway Patrol in tracking down three suspects wanted in a hit-and-run crash. —Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

Noun

Noel was arrested and charged with hit-and-run with property damage, driving while impaired, driving with no liability insurance, and driving with an open container of alcohol, officials said. —Mark Price april 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026

The cameras have also helped investigate hit-and-runs, such as another crash near Peachtree Blvd. —Leondra Head, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Verb

Maryland State Police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a 30-year-old man dead early Sunday morning in Baltimore County. —Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026

Police have arrested a 31-year-old Baltimore man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in the 2200 block of McCulloh Street, authorities said. —Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1904, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hit-and-run

• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• overrun
• povidone
• trazodone
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun

Kids Definition

hit-and-run

adjective

-ˈrən

1

: being or involving a motor-vehicle driver who does not stop after having an accident

2

: involving or intended for quick action or results

Legal Definition

hit-and-run

adjective

1

: having left the scene of a motor vehicle accident without stopping to fulfill the duties imposed by law (as rendering aid or giving identification)

a hit-and-run driver

2

: involving or concerning a hit-and-run driver

a hit-and-run accident

hit-and-run statutes