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

The recent run-up in energy prices ties back to oil. —Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

The next will come in the more immediate run-up to the NFL Draft, which begins April 23. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI is pausing its planned Stargate data center project in the UK, highlighting how even the most aggressive AI infrastructure buildouts are running up against real-world constraints like energy costs and regulation. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026

The stock had run up heading into the report, rallying 17% just this month and higher by more than 13% this year. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 9 Apr. 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