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
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
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The homeless felon accused of stabbing a young Ukrainian commuter to death on a Charlotte light rail train comes from a household where run-ins with the law have been a way of life.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
This was the risk Stearns ran in counting on those two pitchers, specifically, to helm the rotation.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-in
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Noun
Yet, Justin's recent run-ins with the paparazzi had some questioning how his public behavior aligns with the ideals he's laid out.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The homeless felon accused of stabbing a young Ukrainian commuter to death on a Charlotte light rail train comes from a household where run-ins with the law have been a way of life.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
If not for a Ravens 71-yard run in garbage time, the Chiefs would have held the last three teams to under 300 yards, and two of those three were thought to be among the best offenses in the league.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
This was the risk Stearns ran in counting on those two pitchers, specifically, to helm the rotation.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
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 30 Sep. 2025.
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