1
British
: the final part of a race or racetrack
2
3
: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter
ran in; run in; running in; runs in
1
a
: to insert as additional matter
b
: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break
2
: to arrest for a usually minor offense
3
chiefly British
: to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation
: to pay a casual visit
Synonyms
Examples of run-in in a Sentence
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
Dakin Andone, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The arrest is not Kelley’s first run-in with the law.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2024
The quest leads to revelations about the underground network, run-ins with dubious characters from above and below and — most welcome of all — tussles with mutant roaches and an underwater beast.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
A number of prominent figures on different sides of the case have had run-ins with law enforcement, either as witnesses, suspects or victims.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024
The deadly incident in Zambia occurred just 10 days after another safari truck had a run-in with an elephant in South Africa.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Steve Martin recalls a funny run-in with the King in his new documentary.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
Two days later, two women on vacation from Arizona had their own run-in with Maurad-Avecilla, according to police.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Richard Simmons is looking back at some of his favorite (literal) Hollywood run-ins.
—EW.com, 26 Mar. 2024
Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Ryan Brasier was tagged with an insurance run in the ninth, raising his ERA to 5.00 in a continued regression from last year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Ice raced home, barely eluding the tag of catcher Shane Miranda and scoring the winning run in a 1-0 Western League win before a crowd of more than 400 at Dana Middle School.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Azle was able to score three runs in the sixth inning, but only one was earned.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Michelle Williams felt none of that after the woman convicted of hit and run in her sister's death was led away from a Milwaukee County courtroom Wednesday in handcuffs.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
Royals starter Michael Wacha took the loss, allowing two runs in six innings and striking out four.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
After posting five runs in the first three innings Friday, Arkansas scored just three runs the final 24 innings, all on solo home runs from Peyton Stovall, Jared Sprague-Lott and Peyton Holt.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 69 are running in November races that are rated as toss-ups, competitive or potentially vulnerable by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which has tracked House and Senate races for decades.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
But the young Simpson also had several run-ins with the law.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
The arrest is not Kelley’s first run-in with the law.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2024
The quest leads to revelations about the underground network, run-ins with dubious characters from above and below and — most welcome of all — tussles with mutant roaches and an underwater beast.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
A number of prominent figures on different sides of the case have had run-ins with law enforcement, either as witnesses, suspects or victims.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024
The deadly incident in Zambia occurred just 10 days after another safari truck had a run-in with an elephant in South Africa.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Steve Martin recalls a funny run-in with the King in his new documentary.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
Two days later, two women on vacation from Arizona had their own run-in with Maurad-Avecilla, according to police.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Richard Simmons is looking back at some of his favorite (literal) Hollywood run-ins.
—EW.com, 26 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Guardians blew the game open with five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Kwan’s two-run double.
—Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Ryan Brasier was tagged with an insurance run in the ninth, raising his ERA to 5.00 in a continued regression from last year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Ice raced home, barely eluding the tag of catcher Shane Miranda and scoring the winning run in a 1-0 Western League win before a crowd of more than 400 at Dana Middle School.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Azle was able to score three runs in the sixth inning, but only one was earned.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Michelle Williams felt none of that after the woman convicted of hit and run in her sister's death was led away from a Milwaukee County courtroom Wednesday in handcuffs.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
Royals starter Michael Wacha took the loss, allowing two runs in six innings and striking out four.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
After posting five runs in the first three innings Friday, Arkansas scored just three runs the final 24 innings, all on solo home runs from Peyton Stovall, Jared Sprague-Lott and Peyton Holt.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 69 are running in November races that are rated as toss-ups, competitive or potentially vulnerable by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which has tracked House and Senate races for decades.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'run-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share