run-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌin 

1

British : the final part of a race or racetrack

2

: altercation, quarrel

3

: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter

run in

2 of 2

verb

ran in; run in; running in; runs in

transitive verb

1

a

: to insert as additional matter

b

: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break

2

somewhat old-fashioned : to arrest for a usually minor offense

3

chiefly British : to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation

intransitive verb

: to pay a casual visit

Synonyms of run-in

Noun

• encounter

Verb

• visit
• run (over)
• stop (by or in)
• drop by
• come over
• step in
• drop in
• come by
• call

Examples of run-in in a Sentence

Noun

the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night

Verb

I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.

if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

That beats the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric with Launch Control, which is sure to make for some awkward run-ins around Stuttgart. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

Julio Aguilar / Getty Cleveland applied pressure again by scoring two runs in the eighth to cut the lead to 5-3, but Tampa was ready for another answer in its next at-bat. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026

The thriller capped a wild run in which five of the top seven teams in the AP Top 25 lost on the same regular-season day for the first time, per Sportradar. — John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for run-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

run-in

noun

ˈrən-ˌin

: an angry dispute : quarrel