1
: 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
Examples of runoff in a Sentence
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
CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Keeping items loaded at an angle will also help with water runoff and drying performance.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
After losing their opener to the Orlando Magic, the Heat have run off victories against the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and, most recently, the Charlotte Hornets.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
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Noun
If no candidate wins a majority, the top two will advance to a runoff.
—CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Keeping items loaded at an angle will also help with water runoff and drying performance.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
The coyote then chased after the child until the child's father noticed and started yelling until the coyote ran off.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
After losing their opener to the Orlando Magic, the Heat have run off victories against the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and, most recently, the Charlotte Hornets.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for runoff
Cite this Entry
“Runoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runoff. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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-
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