SINCE 1828
run
verb
\ ˈrən
\
\
ran\ ˈran
\
also chiefly dialectal run;
run;
running
\
also chiefly dialectal run;
run;
running
Definition of run
(Entry 1 of 3)
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 step
b
of a horse
: to move at a fast gallop
d
: 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 loose
b
: to keep company : consort
a ram running with ewes ran with a wild crowd when he was young
c
: to sail before the wind in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauled
3a
: to go rapidly or hurriedly : hasten
run and fetch the doctor
b
: to go in urgency or distress : resort
runs to mother at every little difficulty
c
: to make a quick, easy, or casual trip or visit
ran over to borrow some sugar
4a
: to contend in a race
b
: 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 bearings
b
: to roll forward rapidly or freely
c
: to pass or slide freely
a rope runs through the pulley
d
: 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 Washington
b
of fish
: to migrate or move in considerable numbers
especially
: to move up or down a river to spawn
9a(1)
: to continue in force, operation, or production
the contract has two more years to run the play ran for six months
(2)
: to have a specified duration, extent, or length
the manuscript runs nearly 500 pages
b
: to accompany as a valid obligation or right
a right-of-way that runs with the land
c
: to continue to accrue or become payable
interest on the loan runs from July 1
10
: to pass from one state to another
run into debt
11a
: to flow rapidly or under pressure
d
: to discharge liquid (such as pus or serum)
a running sore
12a
: to develop rapidly in some specific direction
especially
: to throw out an elongated shoot of growth
b
: to tend to produce or develop a specified quality or feature
they run to big noses in that family
13a
: to lie in or take a certain direction
the boundary line runs east
b
: to lie or extend in relation to something
c
: to go back : reach
d(1)
: to be in a certain form or expression
the letter runs as follows
(2)
: to be in a certain order of succession
14a
: to occur persistently
musical talent runs in the family
b(1)
: to remain of a specified size, amount, character, or quality
profits were running high
(2)
: to have or maintain a relative position or condition (as in a race)
ran third running late
c
: to exist or occur in a continuous range of variation
shades run from white to dark gray
15a
: to spread or pass quickly from point to point
chills ran up her spine
b
: to be current : circulate
speculation ran rife
1a
: to cause (an animal) to go rapidly : ride or drive fast
b
: to bring to a specified condition by or as if by running
ran himself to death
d
: to follow the trail of backward : trace
ran the rumor to its source
e
: to enter, register, or enroll as a contestant in a race
f
: to put forward as a candidate for office
g
: to carry (the football) on a running play
2a
: to drive (livestock) especially to a grazing place
b
: to provide pasturage for (livestock)
c
: to keep or maintain (livestock) on or as if on pasturage
3a(1)
: to pass over or traverse with speed
(2)
: to run on or over in athletic competition
runs the bases well run the floor
b
: to accomplish or perform by or as if by running
ran a great race run errands
c
: to slip or go through or past
run a blockade run a red light
d
: to travel on in a boat
run the rapids
4a
: to cause to penetrate or enter : thrust
ran a splinter into her toe
b
: stitch
c
: to cause to pass : lead
run a wire in from the antenna
d
: to cause to collide
ran his head into a post
e
: smuggle
run guns
5
: to cause to pass lightly or quickly over, along, or into something
ran her eye down the list
6a
: to cause or allow (a vehicle or a vessel) to go in a specified manner or direction
ran the car off the road
b
: operate
run a lathe
d
: to employ or supervise in espionage
run an agent
8a
: to cause to move or flow in a specified way or into a specified position
run cards into a file
b
: to cause to produce a flow (as of water)
run the faucet
also
: to prepare by running a faucet
run a hot bath
9a
: to melt and cast in a mold
run bullets
10
: to make oneself liable to : incur
ran the risk of discovery
11
: to mark out : draw
run a contour line on a map
12a
: to permit (charges) to accumulate before settling
run a tab at the bar
—often used with up ran up a large phone bill
b
: cost sense 1
rooms that run $50 a night
13a
: to produce by or as if by printing
—usually used with off ran off 10,000 copies of the first edition
b
: to carry in a printed medium : print
every newspaper ran the story
14a
: to make (a series of counts) without a miss
run 19 in an inning in billiards
b
: to lead winning cards of (a suit) successively
c
: to alter by addition
ran his record to six wins and four losses
15
: to make (a golf ball) roll forward after alighting
16
baseball
: to eject (a player, coach, or manager) from a game
Ron Luciano ran Weaver early in game one of a doubleheader in 1975, and then ran him again during the lineup meeting prior to the start of game two.— Jeff Burd
run across
run a fever
or run a temperature
run after
run against
run a tight ship
run by
or run past
run circles around
or run 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
: to meet with or discover by chance
: to have a fever
2
: to take up with : follow
run after new theories
: to have strict and exacting standards in controlling or managing something (such as a business)
: to present to (as for evaluation)
ran some ideas by her
: to show marked superiority over : defeat decisively or overwhelmingly
1
: to use up an available supply
2
: to become exhausted or spent
his inspiration had run dry
: to provide assistance by or as if by clearing a path through obstructions
ran interference for me with the press
1a
: to change or transform into : become
b
: to merge with
c
: to mount up to
their yearly income often runs into six figures
2a
: to collide with
b
: to meet by chance
ran into an old classmate the other day
: to approach running out of
running low on options
: to talk excessively or foolishly
1
: to act wildly or without restraint
2
: to occur in profusion
daffodils running riot
: to become insufficient
: to use up : run low on
: to perform calculations
1
: to sink all remaining shots without missing in pool
2
: to win all remaining contests
: to mount up to
the book runs to 500 pages
: to run across : meet with
1
: to use or exploit fully : make the most of
took the idea and ran with it
2
: to publicize widely
the press ran with the quote
run
nounDefinition of run (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: an act or the action of running : continued rapid movement
b
: a quickened gallop
c
: a migration of fish (as up or down a river) especially to spawn
also
: such fish in the process of migration
d
: a running race
a mile run
e
: a score made in baseball by a runner reaching home plate safely
f
: strength or ability to run
g
: a gain of a usually specified distance made on a running play in football
scored on a 25-yard run
also
: a running play
h
: a sustained usually aggressive effort (as to win or obtain something)
making a run at the championship
b
: 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 inward
b
: the direction in which a vein of ore lies
c
: a direction of secondary or minor cleavage : grain
the run of a mass of granite
d
: 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 as
a
: a rapid passage up or down a scale in vocal or instrumental music
b
: a number of rapid small dance steps executed in even tempo
c
: the act of making successively a number of successful shots or strokes
also
: the score thus made
a run of 20 in billiards
d
: an unbroken course of performances or showings
a long run on Broadway
e
: a set of consecutive measurements, readings, or observations
f
: persistent and heavy demands from depositors, creditors, or customers
a run on a bank
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 sailing
b
: a course or trip especially if mapped out and traveled with regularity
c
: a news reporter's regular territory : beat
d
: 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 operation
b
: the use of machinery for a single set of processing procedures
a computer run
9a
: a way, track, or path frequented by animals
b
: an enclosure for domestic animals where they may feed or exercise
c Australia
d
: an inclined passageway
10a
: an inclined course (as for skiing or bobsledding)
b
: a support (such as a track, pipe, or trough) on which something runs
11a
: a ravel in a knitted fabric (as in hosiery) caused by the breaking of stitches
b
: a paint defect caused by excessive flow
on the run
run for one's money
1
: in haste : without pausing
ate lunch on the run
2
: in retreat : in flight (as from the law)
an escaped convict on the run
: a serious challenge to one's supremacy
is expected to give the incumbent a good run for his money
run
adjectiveDefinition of run (Entry 3 of 3)
1a
: being in a melted state
run butter
b
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from run
Noun
runless
\ ˈrən-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for run
Synonyms: Verb
dash, gallop, jog, scamper, sprint, trip, trot
Synonyms: Noun
current, direction, drift, leaning, tendency, tide, trend, wind
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of run in a Sentence
Verb
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.Noun
He goes for a six-mile run every evening. She took the dogs out for a run.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Photo: Mike Shum/Frontline/WSJ Mary Ellen LaFromboise ran an IHS hospital in Montana where Mr. Weber worked. — Gabe Johnson, WSJ, "A Pedophile Doctor Drew Suspicions for 21 Years. No One Stopped Him.," 8 Feb. 2019 Soon after that article ran, the internet backbone was expanded and strengthened. — Popular Mechanics, "The Death of the Internet," 7 Feb. 2019 My husband's amazing cardiologist met me at the ER and had them run an EKG, then got right on the phone with my regular doctor. — Susan Lucci As Told To Tiffany Blackstone, Woman's Day, "Susan Lucci Shares All About the Heart Scare That Sent Her to the ER," 6 Feb. 2019 But the arrangement left out emerging-market economies, many of which want a greater say in how these international institutions are run. — Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, "U.S. Contemplates Appointing First Female President of World Bank," 24 Jan. 2019 And the price tag could rise substantially if any of the programs run into expensive technical problems. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Does America Still Need the Nuclear Triad?," 23 Jan. 2019 There were no fancy accommodations or delicious food or Instagram models running around. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "The Fyre Festival Caterer Who Lost Her Life Savings Has Received Over $160K in Donations," 22 Jan. 2019 In that time, Lanvin was also sold by its owner, Shaw-Lan Wang, to the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, setting up a new business structure and new creative goals for one of France’s longest continuously run ateliers. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Lanvin Names Bruno Sialelli as Creative Director," 21 Jan. 2019 That’s no longer the case; with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Barr’s jurisdiction will be limited to running the immigration courts and determining legal rationales for other policy decisions. — Dara Lind, Vox, "William Barr hearing: attorney general nominee’s immigration record aligns with Trump’s," 16 Jan. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Mozeliak is hoping Goldschmidt can boost an offense that finished fourth in the NL in homers last season (205) and sixth in runs (759). — Warren Mayes, The Seattle Times, "Cardinals hope Goldschmidt can lead them back to playoffs," 5 Feb. 2019 There are huge professional fees to be earned from turning a fragmented cottage industry into a well-run, formal sector that established investors want to back. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "Weed Versus Greed on Wall Street," 25 Jan. 2019 While Marvel rebooted the comics series this year, for most readers, it was defined by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona’s original run, which introduced the characters in 2003. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Season 2 of Runaways forges a bold new path — eventually," 21 Dec. 2018 Nestled perfectly between town and the lifts, this local favorite is a must-stop in between runs, especially for happy hour. — Todd Plummer, Town & Country, "The Right Way To Ski Mount Buller, Australia’s Winter Playground," 10 Dec. 2018 Although not necessarily a household name, Shelton consistently impacts opposing run and pass games. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks Mailbag: Free agent rumors and rumblings — Could a few former Seahawks find their way back?," 23 Jan. 2019 Traditionally, the bug bash signals the end of the development cycle, but this may be just an early run, to try and nip the last-minute bugs that nagged the Oct. 2018 Update. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft separates Cortana from search in new Windows 10 preview build," 16 Jan. 2019 Is the lesson of Clinton’s historic run and Electoral College loss to a repeatedly misogynistic candidate . . — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Have We Learned Nothing From 2016 About How to Cover Women in Politics?," 3 Jan. 2019 The mother and her daughters were still in pajamas, making a coffee run and preparing for their Sunday dinner, when the shooter drove up and open fired, CNN reported. — Jameelah Nasheed, Teen Vogue, "A Gunman Opened Fire on a Black Family, Killing 7-Year-Old Jazmine Barnes," 2 Jan. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
And the quality of Basis, thanks to the many esteemed scientists working on it, sets it apart from run-of-the-mill supplements. — Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, "Can Elysium Health's Basis Pill Change Your Life?," 26 Dec. 2018 Since the introduction of the wild card in 1995, 45 of the 46 teams that led their league in run differential reached the postseason, with the 2005 Cleveland Indians serving as the lone exception. — Jared Diamond, WSJ, "Why the Los Angeles Dodgers Are Feeling Blue," 12 Sep. 2018 Also called mental skills coaches, these psychologists help athletes manage everything from run-of-the-mill jitters to clinical anxiety. — Taylyn Washington-harmon, SELF, "How Olympic Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad Deals With the Unexpected Physical Symptoms of Anxiety," 24 July 2018 This Yankees lineup — which owns baseball’s third-highest run total — is the best cast of hitters the Phillies have played this season. — Matt Breen, Philly.com, "Phillies shut out by Yankees as defense fails Jake Arrieta again," 26 June 2018 Cactus juice: Two of the players in the middle of the Brewers' improbable seven-run ninth inning in Wednesday's 10-10 tie with the San Francisco Giants were, not surprisingly, Nate Orf and Kyle Wren. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Camp report: Wade Miley, Brent Suter are impressive in a victory over the Diamondbacks," 1 Mar. 2018 Logic suggests that the most effective tool of run prevention is the strikeout. — Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "What’s up with all the strikeouts in Major League Baseball?," 12 July 2018 Cashner, whose has been given the worst run support among all the Orioles’ starters, failed to catch a toss from first baseman Chris Davis while covering first base on No. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Cashner's quality start, Schoop's two homers not enough in Orioles' 5-2 loss to Twins," 6 July 2018 While these kinds of punishments would seem run-of-the-mill for any wealthy suburban high school — or their even wealthier private counterparts — Janelle’s teachers do not approve of these tactics. — refinery29.com, "The Affair," 2 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'run.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about run
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
7 Idioms from American Football
7 Idioms from American Football
Tackle these phrases from the gridiron.
Dictionary Entries near run
Statistics for run
Last Updated
11 Feb 2019
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for run
The first known use of run was before the 12th century
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for run
run
nounFinancial Definition of run
What It Is
A run occurs when a flood of depositors withdraw their funds from a bank within a short time frame.
How It Works
It’s important to remember one thing about banks: They don’t keep your money in cash in a vault. Rather, when people deposit funds in a bank, the bank lends a portion of those funds out to people who want loans for houses, cars, businesses or whatever else. Accordingly, depositing $100 into your bank account doesn’t mean there is $100 sitting in the vault.
By lending out deposits, banks make money in the form of interest. However, they must keep a portion of those deposits on hand at all times to support the day-to-day inflow and outflow of funds that depositors need.
So, for example, let’s say that John Doe reads a rumor on the Internet that Bank XYZ is getting ready to go bankrupt. Worried about the money in his checking and savings account there, John runs over to the bank and withdraws all of his money. He also tells his sister, his nephews and his parents, who also withdraw their money. Rumors of Bank XYZ’s demise spread over the Internet like wildfire. Soon, more people withdraw their funds or transfer them to other banks.
The rumor is not true and Company XYZ [Bank XYZ?] is in fine financial health. But by this point, Bank XYZ has given out so much cash from its vault that now it really is having a hard time fulfilling the withdrawal requests from its customers. Now the news goes national, and every depositor of Company XYZ hears that you’d better get your money out now before there’s none left. The downward cycle continues.
Eventually, the withdrawals reach a point where Company XYZ is drained of cash, actually does become financially unstable, and goes under. The run becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Why It Matters
Bank runs can destabilize the banking system quickly, which is why the Federal Reserve sets a reserve requirement for banks. For example, let’s assume that Bank XYZ has $400,000,000 in deposits. If the Federal Reserve’s reserve ratio requirement is 10%, Bank XYZ must keep at least $40,000,000 in an account at a Federal Reserve bank and may not use that cash for lending or any other purpose. This ensures that Bank XYZ always has some money on hand to prevent a run. If a bank is unable to meet its reserve ratio, it can borrow from the Federal Reserve to meet the requirement.
Source: Investing Answers
run
verb
English Language Learners Definition of run
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to move with your legs at a speed that is faster than walking
: to leave a place quickly by running
: to run as part of a sport, for exercise, or in a race
run
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of run (Entry 2 of 2)
: an act of running
: a continuous series of similar things
: a continuous series of performances or showings
See the full definition for run in the English Language Learners Dictionary
run
verb
\ ˈrən
\
\
ran\ ˈran \;
run;
running
Kids Definition of run
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
: function entry 2
That old car is still running.
6
: to cause to function
Can you run this machine?
7
: extend sense 2
The trail runs from here to the border.
8
: to move freely about
He let the animals run loose.
9
: flow entry 1 sense 1
A brook runs through the field.
10
: to be in charge of : manage
My pop runs a newspaper here in town.— Oliver Butterworth, The Enormous Egg
11
: to do something by or as if by running
I'm running errands.
12
: to take part in a race
13
: to move on or as if on wheels
14
: to go back and forth often according to a fixed schedule
The train runs between Boston and Chicago.
15
: to migrate or move in schools
The salmon are running early this year.
16
: to continue in force
The exhibit runs until the end of the month.
17
: to pass into a specified condition
The well ran dry.
18
: to spread into another area
The dyes are guaranteed not to run.
19
: to give off liquid
My nose is running.
20
: to tend to develop a specified feature or quality
The shirts run small.
21
: to slip through or past
They ran the blockade.
22
: to cause to penetrate
He ran a knife through the bread.
23
: to cause to go
The sheriff ran them out of town. I ran my car off the road.
24
: to take on
She ran the risk of being caught.
25
: to print or broadcast
Every channel runs the ad.
26
: to be a candidate for office
She ran for mayor.
27
: to occur again and again
The condition runs in the family.
run away
run into
run off
run out
run out of
run over
: to leave home secretly without intending to return
: to meet by chance
: to leave in a hurry
1
: to come to an end
Time ran out before I finished.
2
: to become used up
Supplies were running out.
: to use up the available supply of
We ran out of gas.
run
nounKids Definition of run (Entry 2 of 2)
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
9
: a regular course or trip
10
: freedom of movement
Our guests had the run of the house.
11
: a way, track, or path frequented by animals
a deer run
12
: slope entry 1 sense 1
a ski run
13
: a spot in knitted fabric that has unraveled
My stocking has a run in it.
Keep scrolling for more
\ ˈrən
\
\
ran\ ˈran
\;
run;
running
\;
run;
running
Medical Definition of run
: to discharge fluid (as pus or serum)
a running sore
run a fever
or run a temperature
: to have a fever
ran;
run;
running
Legal Definition of run
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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on run
What made you want to look up run? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What did you just call me?! A Quiz
-
- If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share run
Resources for run