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
somewhat old-fashioned
: 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
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
Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The growing catalog of run-ins comes as a half-century of international peacekeeping efforts along the border face an uncertain future.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson has set up Shiffrin with a narrow lead ahead of her run in the slalom later today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run-in
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Noun
From multiple run-ins with the law to a couple stints in rehab, the 64-year-old actress's 2025 arrest capped her long battle with alcoholism.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The growing catalog of run-ins comes as a half-century of international peacekeeping efforts along the border face an uncertain future.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Bronfman said his own inspiration had been a newspaper series about immigration that had run in the Los Angeles Times a few years before the movie came out.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Johnson has set up Shiffrin with a narrow lead ahead of her run in the slalom later today.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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