run·down
ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 
1
: an item-by-item report or review : summary
2
: a play in baseball in which a base runner who is caught off base is chased by two or more opposing players who throw the ball from one to another in an attempt to tag the runner out
ran down; run down; running down; runs down
1
a
: to collide with and knock down
b
: to run against and cause to sink
2
a
: to chase to exhaustion or until captured
b
: to trace the source of
c
: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown
3
1
: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power
the clock ran down
2
: to decline in physical condition or vigor
Examples of rundown in a Sentence
Noun
They gave us a rundown on the main points of the news.
a rundown of our public services
He was caught in a rundown.
Adjective
a run-down old house that really should be torn down
I'm afraid I'll be staying home today as I'm feeling run-down
Verb
finally ran down the answer after hours of research
constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it
Recent Examples on the Web
Ana Gutierrez Austin American Statesman, Gutierrez Ana Austin American Statesman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Here's a rundown of some frequently asked questions.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Jordan Greene, People.com, 27 June 2025
Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Anas Baba, NPR, 6 July 2025
The path could also run down the west side of Howell Street, Smith said.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rundown
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Noun
Here's a rundown of Father's Day weekend events in the Austin area:
June 14: Whiskey, Cars & Cigars
Kick off Father's Day weekend in bold Texas style with the grand opening of Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery's new Cigar Lounge.
—Ana Gutierrez Austin American Statesman, Gutierrez Ana Austin American Statesman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Here's a rundown of some frequently asked questions.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Just a few days before her PEOPLE interview, while skating up a highway, Johnson stopped at a small honey farm that looked a bit run-down at first glance.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 27 June 2025
Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Verb
Crowds began running down the road toward the site, as cars and motorcycles raced each other.
—Anas Baba, NPR, 6 July 2025
The path could also run down the west side of Howell Street, Smith said.
—Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rundown
Cite this Entry
“Rundown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rundown. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rundown
1 of 3 noun
run·down
ˈrən-ˌdau̇n
: an item by item report : summary
run-down
2 of 3 adjectiveˈrən-ˈdau̇n
1
: being in poor condition
a run-down farm
2
: being in or indicating poor health
that run-down feeling
run down
3 of 3 verbˈrən-ˈdau̇n
1
: to collide with and knock down
2
a
: to chase until exhausted or captured
b
: to find by search : trace the source of
3
: to stop operating because of the exhaustion of an energy source
the battery ran down
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