1
British
: the final part of a race or racetrack
2
3
: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter
ran in; run in; running in; runs in
1
a
: to insert as additional matter
b
: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break
2
: to arrest for a usually minor offense
3
chiefly British
: to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation
: to pay a casual visit
Examples of run-in in a Sentence
Noun
the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night
Verb
I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.
if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
At the beginning of the episode, Ron is still paranoid following that inexplicable run-in with the apparent Tecca enforcer.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
The streetcar has been running in its current form since 1914.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-in
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Noun
Since September, North Jersey residents have had other run-ins with coyotes, plus a black bear and a fox.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
At the beginning of the episode, Ron is still paranoid following that inexplicable run-in with the apparent Tecca enforcer.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
From playing catch-up to running in parallel Despite early limitations in solver speed, mesh handling, and model stability, Duan states that cloud-native architectures and AI now give Chinese CAE firms a rare opportunity to turn the tables on industry leaders.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
The streetcar has been running in its current form since 1914.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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