Definition of run
ran
play \ˈran\ also chiefly dialectalrun
;run
;running
intransitive verb
1a : to go faster than a walk; specifically : to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each stepb of a horse : to move at a fast gallopc : flee, retreat, escape dropped the gun and rand : to utilize a running play on offense —used of a football team
2a : to go without restraint : move freely about at will let chickens run looseb : to keep company : consort a ram running with ewes ran with a wild crowd when he was youngc : to sail before the wind in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauledd : roam, rove running about with no overcoat
3a : to go rapidly or hurriedly : hasten run and fetch the doctorb : to go in urgency or distress : resort runs to mother at every little difficultyc : to make a quick, easy, or casual trip or visit ran over to borrow some sugar
4a : to contend in a raceb : to enter into an election contest will run for mayor
5a : to move on or as if on wheels : glide file drawers running on ball bearingsb : to roll forward rapidly or freelyc : to pass or slide freely a rope runs through the pulleyd : to ravel lengthwise stockings guaranteed not to run
6 : to sing or play a musical passage quickly run up the scale
7a : to go back and forth : ply the train runs between New York and Washingtonb of fish : to migrate or move in considerable numbers; especially : to move up or down a river to spawn
8a : turn, rotate a swiftly running grindstoneb : function, operate the engine runs on gasoline software that runs on her computer
run across
run a fever
orrun a temperature
run after
run against
run a tight ship
run by
orrun past
run circles around
orrun rings around
run dry
run interference
run into
run low on
run one's mouth
run riot
run short
run short of
run the numbers
run the table
run to
run upon
run with
From the M-W Editors
Using run in the Past Tense
The past tense run still survives in speech in southern England and in the speech especially of older people in some parts of the U.S. It was formerly used in literature, and was a standard variant in our dictionaries from 1828 until 1934. Grammarians have generally opposed it, and many people consider it nonstandard. Just about everybody uses ran in writing now.
Examples of run in a Sentence
How fast can you run?
He runs faster than anyone else on the team.
She ran up the stairs to get her jacket.
We ran for the train—but missed it.
I heard her scream and ran to help.
She ran to me for help.
The dog ran away from me.
The dog ran toward me.
When I called the dog, he came running.
Don't expect me to come running every time you want something. I'm not your servant.
Origin and Etymology of run
Middle English ronnen, alteration of rinnen, intransitive verb (from Old English iernan, rinnan & Old Norse rinna) & of rennen, transitive verb, from Old Norse renna; akin to Old High German rinnan, intransitive verb, “to run,” Sanskrit riṇāti “he causes to flow,” and probably to Latin rivus “stream”
run
Definition of run
1a : an act or the action of running : continued rapid movementb : a quickened gallopc : a migration of fish (as up or down a river) especially to spawn; also : such fish in the process of migrationd : a running race a mile rune : a score made in baseball by a runner reaching home plate safelyf : strength or ability to rung : a gain of a usually specified distance made on a running play in football scored on a 25-yard run; also : a running playh : a sustained usually aggressive effort (as to win or obtain something) making a run at the championship
2a chiefly Midland : creek 2b : something that flows in the course of an operation or during a particular time the first run of sap in sugar maples
3a : the stern of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins to curve or slope upward and inwardb : the direction in which a vein of ore liesc : a direction of secondary or minor cleavage : grain the run of a mass of granited : a horizontal distance (such as that covered by a flight of steps)e : general tendency or direction
4 : a continuous period or series especially of things of identical or similar sort a run of bad luck: such asa : a rapid passage up or down a scale in vocal or instrumental musicb : a number of rapid small dance steps executed in even tempoc : the act of making successively a number of successful shots or strokes; also : the score thus made a run of 20 in billiardsd : an unbroken course of performances or showings a long run on Broadwaye : a set of consecutive measurements, readings, or observationsf : persistent and heavy demands from depositors, creditors, or customers a run on a bankg : sequence 2b
5 : the quantity of work turned out in a continuous operation a press run of 10,000 copies
6 : the usual or normal kind, character, type, or group the average run of students
7a : the distance covered in a period of continuous traveling or sailingb : a course or trip especially if mapped out and traveled with regularityc : a news reporter's regular territory : beatd : freedom of movement in or access to a place or area has the run of the house
8a : the period during which a machine or plant is in continuous operationb : the use of machinery for a single set of processing procedures a computer run
on the run
run for one's money
Examples of run in a Sentence
He goes for a six-mile run every evening.
She took the dogs out for a run.
First Known Use of run
15th century
run
Definition of run
1a : being in a melted state run butterb : made from molten material : cast in a mold run metal
2 of fish : having made a migration or spawning run a fresh run salmon
3 : exhausted or winded from running
First Known Use of run
1685
RUN Defined for English Language Learners
run
playDefinition of run for English Language Learners
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: to move with your legs at a speed that is faster than walking
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: to leave a place quickly by running
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: to run as part of a sport, for exercise, or in a race
run
Definition of run for English Language Learners
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: an act of running
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: a continuous series of similar things
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: a continuous series of performances or showings
RUN Defined for Kids
Definition of run for Students
ran
\ˈran\;run
;running
1 : to go at a pace faster than a walk
2 : to go rapidly or hurriedly She ran home to get her book.
3 : to take to flight They saw the police and ran.
4 : to pass over, across, or through She ran her fingers through her hair.
5 : 2function That old car is still running.
6 : to cause to function Can you run this machine?
7 : extend 2 The trail runs from here to the border.
8 : to move freely about He let the animals run loose.
run away
run into
run off
run out
run out of
run over
Definition of run for Students
1 : an act or the action of running He took the dog for a run.
2 : a score made in baseball by a base runner reaching home plate
3 : an enclosure for animals where they may feed and exercise
4 : the usual or normal kind It's like the usual run of shops.
5 : a continuous series especially of similar things We have had a long run of good luck.
6 : sudden heavy demands from depositors, creditors, or customers There was a run on the bank.
7 : the quantity of work turned out in a continuous operation
8 : the distance covered in a period of continuous traveling
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
run
Legal Definition of run
ran
run
running
1a : to be or continue to be in operation or effect b : to proceed toward expiration or effectiveness statute of limitations began to run when she received notice of the injury — compare toll
2 : to continue to accrue or become payable in an amount increasing with the passing of time interest running from a particular date
run with the land
: to pass as a right or encumbrance upon the transfer of real property the restrictive covenant ran with the land
Learn More about run
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for run Spanish Central: Translation of run Nglish: Translation of run for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of run for Arabic speakers
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