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
ran up; run up; running up; runs up
: to grow rapidly : shoot up
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
Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Shares of both Chipotle and Starbucks had big run-ups in the multiweek periods between Niccol’s appointment and actual first day — though those gains aren’t included in these calculations.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 28 July 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
On a fourth-and-1, running back Chris Brooks gained four yards on a run up the middle.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
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Noun
That's far lower than the high prices seen the previous week during an unusual run-up fueled by online chatter.
—Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Shares of both Chipotle and Starbucks had big run-ups in the multiweek periods between Niccol’s appointment and actual first day — though those gains aren’t included in these calculations.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 28 July 2025
Verb
Another highlight play was an 11-yard run up the middle of the Vikings’ defense after quarterback Drake Maye audibled on third-and-10 for a first down.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
On a fourth-and-1, running back Chris Brooks gained four yards on a run up the middle.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-up
Cite this Entry
“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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