run out

verb

ran out; run out; running out; runs out

intransitive verb

1

a

: to come to an end : expire

time ran out

b

: to become exhausted or used up

the gasoline ran out

2

: to jut out

transitive verb

1

a

: to finish out (a course, a series, a contest, etc.) : complete

b

of a baseball batter : to run hard to first base after hitting (a batted ball)

ran out the grounder

2

a

: to fill out (a typeset line) with quads, leaders, or ornaments

b

: to set (a line of text, such as the first line of a paragraph) with a hanging indention

3

: to exhaust (oneself) in running

4

: to cause to leave by force or coercion : expel

see also:

run out of run out on

Examples of run out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kane’s deal at Bayern runs out next summer — but The Athletic reported in June that despite an enquiry from Barcelona, Kane was likely to sign a new contract at the Allianz Arena. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Fulton was able to run out the on its final possession to secure the win. — Felipe Gamino, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026

And bond market investors and voters are running out of patience with high prices. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

In January, the program expanded giving rural Minnesotans a better chance at survival by flying in lifesaving equipment and specialists when time is running out. — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for run out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

run out

verb

1

: to come to an end : expire

time ran out before we could tie the game

2

: to become exhausted or used up

our supplies were running out