rundown

1 of 3

noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 

1

: an item-by-item report or review : summary

2

: a play in baseball in which a base runner who is caught off base is chased by two or more opposing players who throw the ball from one to another in an attempt to tag the runner out

run-down

2 of 3

adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n 

1

: being in poor repair : dilapidated

2

: worn-out, exhausted entry 1

3

: completely unwound

run down

3 of 3

verb

ran down; run down; running down; runs down

transitive verb

1

a

: to collide with and knock down

b

: to run against and cause to sink

2

a

: to chase to exhaustion or until captured

The cops ran the thief down in an alley.

b

: to find (someone or something) after searching

c

: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown

3

: disparage

was always running himself down

4

: to say or repeat from beginning to end

ran down the list of names

intransitive verb

1

: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power

the clock ran down

2

: to decline in physical condition or vigor

Synonyms of rundown

Noun

• summary

Adjective

• dilapidated
• neglected

Verb

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• track (down)
• get
• find out

Examples of rundown in a Sentence

Noun

They gave us a rundown on the main points of the news.

a rundown of our public services

He was caught in a rundown.

Adjective

a run-down old house that really should be torn down

I'm afraid I'll be staying home today as I'm feeling run-down

Verb

finally ran down the answer after hours of research

constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From Aledo’s debut in Class 6A to a quarterback’s return after 651 days off the field, here’s a rundown of the Star-Telegram’s preseason coverage. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Here’s a rundown of the top games to watch through the lens of a Hurricanes fan. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The Frankos, also known as The Hunter Houses on Instagram, have been converting cottages into beautiful Airbnbs since 2016 and in 2021, found a 12,000-square-foot run-down hotel in the hamlet of Hensonville, New York. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

The huge backdrop gave the image of an old run-down highway featuring road barricades and streetlights. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Verb

Geneva let the clock run down to five seconds to call a timeout before Oswego (2-0) punted. — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Vertical stripes ran down much of the dress before shifting direction along the hem. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for rundown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

rundown

1 of 3 noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 

: an item by item report : summary

run-down

2 of 3 adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: being in poor condition

a run-down farm

2

: being in or indicating poor health

that run-down feeling

run down

3 of 3 verb

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: to collide with and knock down

2

a

: to chase until exhausted or captured

b

: to find by search : trace the source of

3

: to stop operating because of the exhaustion of an energy source

the battery ran down