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
Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Here’s a rundown of a list that will surely continue to grow.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 June 2025
Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
His white shirt is blood stained and blood can be seen running down his face and matted in his hair a crowd assist him to the medical staff.
—Hannah Parry
barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rundown
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Noun
Give me a rundown on what a typical day in your life looks like as a young fashion designer in New York City.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025
Here’s a rundown of a list that will surely continue to grow.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Adjective
Speculation about Justin’s declining health has spiked after his public appearances have shown him looking tired and run-down.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 9 June 2025
Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
Verb
But while in the batter’s box and while running down that line, his fire burned just as hot as if there were twenty scouts in the stands judging his every movement.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
His white shirt is blood stained and blood can be seen running down his face and matted in his hair a crowd assist him to the medical staff.
—Hannah Parry
barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 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 20 Jun. 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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