in the running

phrase

1

: competing in a contest

2

: having a chance to win a contest

Examples of in the running in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kelce ran down the improvement in the running game and the importance of the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

And if the latest reports are right, the biggest surprise may be that the next James Bond isn’t the biggest name in the running. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026

At least five candidates are in the running to become the next director-general of the World Health Organization, a job that will come with extraordinary challenges. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026

Along with Drew Toussaint, the team’s director of amateur scouting, Gross is credited with drafting outfielder Carson Benge and right-hander Nolan McLean, both of whom are in the running for NL Rookie of the Year. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for in the running

• overrunning
• bunning
• cunning
• dunning
• gunning
• punning
• shunning
• stunning
• sunning