run-in

noun

\ ˈrən-ˌin

Definition of run-in

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 British : the final part of a race or racetrack

2 : altercation, quarrel

3 : something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter

run in

verb

ran in; run in; running in; runs in

Definition of run in (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

intransitive verb

: to pay a casual visit

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about run-in

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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: Verb

Both New Jersey natives, Bruce and Patti ran in similar social circles growing up and as young adults. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's Love Story Proves They Were Always Meant to be Together," 6 May 2019 Asthma runs in my family, and growing up working-class in the inner city — pollution, roaches, and asbestos in public schools — didn’t help my lungs as a child. — Mary Emily O'hara, Allure, "Why People With Asthma Can Benefit From Edibles," 20 Apr. 2019 She's worked on the character through its creation, a run in Washington, D.C., and now its New York debut. — Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beetlejuice's Sophia Anne Caruso Is Bringing Goth to Broadway," 17 Apr. 2019 The candidate who gathered the most energy during the 2016 campaign ran in the Democratic Party primaries, and a huge number of voters cast their vote for Bernie Sanders. — WSJ, "Many Democrats Don’t Mind ‘Socialist’ Tag," 28 Mar. 2019 Good looks definitely run in the family, and Matthew Sprouse is no exception. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "FYI: Cole and Dylan Sprouse's Dad is Basically Their Triplet," 21 Mar. 2019 Some developers did take the time to produce good PAL conversions that were timed properly for 50Hz and ran in the right resolution, but even in that best-case scenario, playing a PAL game on a modern 60Hz TV is likely to be pretty juddery. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "The US PlayStation Classic has several slower 50Hz PAL games," 27 Nov. 2018 The program for Quincy students will run in addition to the current and future nursing groups at Mount Wachusetts, and will not affect the ability of other students in the region to gain admission into the nursing program. — John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, "Quincy College students can complete nursing degrees at Devens," 11 July 2018 And starting next Monday, another $1 million ad will run in those same states introducing Kavanaugh. — NBC News, "Key senators already facing a campaign-like blitz on Kavanaugh confirmation fight," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'run-in.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.