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

Ronaldo started his run-up in Hamburg, scored his penalty and hoped for the best. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

The price of silver has moderated somewhat in the time since, but the sudden run-up has propelled silver from a quiet hedge into a hot topic among investors. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026

Verb

Video shared on social media shows at least three people run up to the victims' car and fire at least two dozen shots. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Along the way, a white student ran up to him. —Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 Feb. 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