run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That doesn’t mean the potential for a massive run-up in prices is gone. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Buying downside protection here allows long holders to lock in a substantial portion of the recent run-up while risking less than 1% of total position value. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 29 July 2026

Verb

One of the highlight plays of the first two days was a beautiful ball Prescott threw over the top of cornerback Caelen Carson directly into the hands of Pickens running up the left sideline. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 31 July 2026

High snap was handled by Willis, who ran up the middle for a short gain. — Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill