hit-and-run

1 of 3

adjective

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
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.
Adjective
Dominguez was also charged with a hit-and-run involving property and driving with a blood alcohol level above .15 — nearly twice the legal limit of .08 — in the 2017 case. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025 The woman was taken into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run causing injury. Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
An Arvada man took a deal and pleaded guilty this month in a fatal 2024 Aurora hit-and-run on Interstate 225, according to court records. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025 The woman was taken into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run causing injury. Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hit-and-run

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hit-and-run was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hit-and-run.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hit-and-run. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on hit-and-run

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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