run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cramer's Charitable Trust previously owned Arm but sold the position to protect profits after its massive run-up. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Adams, 33, who led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches last season, said that’s the idea – continuing to build a connection with Stafford, who missed most of last year’s preseason run-up nursing a back issue. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

The train of low-pressure systems that flow across the Pacific from west to east runs up against the giant wall of the Andes, and the massive waves left in these systems’ wake smash the west side of South America. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Small and mid-size businesses run up to 25 different apps to get a full view of their data, and that sprawl caps their ability to get real insight. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill