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: a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor
2
: the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material
ran off; run off; running off; runs off
1
a
: to recite, compose, or produce rapidly
b
: to cause to be run or played to a finish
c
: to decide (a race) by a runoff
d
2
: to drain off : draw off
3
a
: to drive off (someone, such as a trespasser)
b
: to steal (animals, such as cattle) by driving away
see also run off with
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Verb
the dog often ran off cats and other animals that had intruded upon his owner's property
their rebellious daughter's run off because she was disciplined again
Recent Examples on the Web
Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2023
In the city of Chicago, the mayor, Lori Lightfoot, just failed to make the runoff in the Democratic primary.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
But the benefits of those projects are years away, with the continuing runoff rushing in sometimes redamaging areas that were previously restored.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2023
Former Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas, one of the two candidates who advanced to the April runoff, loaned himself $100,100 on Wednesday, new campaign finance reports show.
—Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2023
What to know about crime in Chicago The runoff comes as the U.S. is reeling from a surge in violent crime at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
—Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023
Intermittent rain fell and the runoff from the kennel roof fell on Paul Murdaugh’s covered body.
—Jeffrey Collins, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Lightfoot faced challenges from eight other candidates in the mayoral race, but failed to make the runoff after finishing the election in third place.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2023
Former public-schools chief Paul Vallas and Cook County Board member Brandon Johnson were the top two vote-getters and will face off in the April 4 runoff.
—Joe Barrett, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023
al, 20 Feb. 2023
Alex Highsmith, who had time to get set with Parris Campbell flipping to the opposite side of the formation, allowing 17 seconds to run off the clock.
—Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Nov. 2022
He was more composed at Fenway Park, keeping his fastball in the high 90s while allowing one run off seven hits, issuing no walks and striking out six over 7 2/3 innings.
—courant.com, 26 June 2021
Kolby made one final attempt to run off before the trailer that would be used to transport her to the animal shelter arrived.
—Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2022
Bo Williams capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run off left tackle with 7:48 left in the opening quarter.
—Chip Souza, Arkansas Online, 4 Dec. 2022
Foreman, who ran for 118 yards and three TDs in the last meeting on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, capped off a crucial seven-play, 84-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run off right tackle to give Carolina a 19-9 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
—Steve Reed, ajc, 11 Nov. 2022
Foreman, who ran for 118 yards and three TDs in the last meeting on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, capped off a crucial seven-play, 84-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run off right tackle to give Carolina a 19-9 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
—Steve Reed, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Nov. 2022
Wilson’s 60-yard touchdown run off left tackle gave Spanish Fort a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
—Arthur L. Mack, al, 10 Sep. 2022
See More
Noun
Roderick Sawyer, a former candidate in the mayor’s race who also didn’t make the runoff last week.
—Gregory Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2023
In the city of Chicago, the mayor, Lori Lightfoot, just failed to make the runoff in the Democratic primary.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2023
But the benefits of those projects are years away, with the continuing runoff rushing in sometimes redamaging areas that were previously restored.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2023
Former Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas, one of the two candidates who advanced to the April runoff, loaned himself $100,100 on Wednesday, new campaign finance reports show.
—Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 3 Mar. 2023
What to know about crime in Chicago The runoff comes as the U.S. is reeling from a surge in violent crime at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
—Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023
Intermittent rain fell and the runoff from the kennel roof fell on Paul Murdaugh’s covered body.
—Jeffrey Collins, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Lightfoot faced challenges from eight other candidates in the mayoral race, but failed to make the runoff after finishing the election in third place.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2023
Former public-schools chief Paul Vallas and Cook County Board member Brandon Johnson were the top two vote-getters and will face off in the April 4 runoff.
—Joe Barrett, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023
Verb
Julie Amacher took the loss for Chelsea, allowing one run off four hits in three innings.
—al, 20 Feb. 2023
Alex Highsmith, who had time to get set with Parris Campbell flipping to the opposite side of the formation, allowing 17 seconds to run off the clock.
—Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Nov. 2022
He was more composed at Fenway Park, keeping his fastball in the high 90s while allowing one run off seven hits, issuing no walks and striking out six over 7 2/3 innings.
—courant.com, 26 June 2021
Kolby made one final attempt to run off before the trailer that would be used to transport her to the animal shelter arrived.
—Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2022
Bo Williams capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run off left tackle with 7:48 left in the opening quarter.
—Chip Souza, Arkansas Online, 4 Dec. 2022
Foreman, who ran for 118 yards and three TDs in the last meeting on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, capped off a crucial seven-play, 84-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run off right tackle to give Carolina a 19-9 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
—Steve Reed, ajc, 11 Nov. 2022
Foreman, who ran for 118 yards and three TDs in the last meeting on Oct. 30 in Atlanta, capped off a crucial seven-play, 84-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run off right tackle to give Carolina a 19-9 lead with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
—Steve Reed, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Nov. 2022
Wilson’s 60-yard touchdown run off left tackle gave Spanish Fort a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
—Arthur L. Mack, al, 10 Sep. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'runoff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
1680, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Articles Related to runoff
Dictionary Entries Near runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
runoff
1 of 2 noun
run·off
ˈrən-ˌȯf 
1
: a final contest or election to decide an earlier one that has not given the victory to one competitor
2
: water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams
run off
2 of 2 verbˈrən-ˈȯf,
ˌrən-
More from Merriam-Webster on runoff
Nglish: Translation of runoff for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about runoff
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