rundown

1 of 3

noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 

1

: an item-by-item report or review : summary

2

: a play in baseball in which a base runner who is caught off base is chased by two or more opposing players who throw the ball from one to another in an attempt to tag the runner out

run-down

2 of 3

adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n 

1

: being in poor repair : dilapidated

2

: worn-out, exhausted

3

: completely unwound

run down

3 of 3

verb

ran down; run down; running down; runs down

transitive verb

1

a

: to collide with and knock down

b

: to run against and cause to sink

2

a

: to chase to exhaustion or until captured

The cops ran the thief down in an alley.

b

: to find (someone or something) after searching

c

: to tag out (a base runner) between bases on a rundown

3

: disparage

was always running himself down

4

: to say or repeat from beginning to end

ran down the list of names

intransitive verb

1

: to cease to operate because of the exhaustion of motive power

the clock ran down

2

: to decline in physical condition or vigor

Synonyms of rundown

Noun

• summary

Adjective

• dilapidated
• neglected

Verb

• find
• learn
• discover
• locate
• track (down)
• get
• find out

Examples of rundown in a Sentence

Noun

They gave us a rundown on the main points of the news.

a rundown of our public services

He was caught in a rundown.

Adjective

a run-down old house that really should be torn down

I'm afraid I'll be staying home today as I'm feeling run-down

Verb

finally ran down the answer after hours of research

constantly running down the city's cultural life won't do anything to improve it

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the full rundown can be found in Princess Patter (the daily newsletter delivered to staterooms), and many activities take place at Sun Princess three primary entertainment hubs. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026

The photo showed a rundown of new features, some of which have already been announced, that will be available for the Z in 2027, including new bumpers for the Sport model, a metallic Shinkai Green finish for the Performance, and a manual transmission for the Nismo. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026

Adjective

In 1963, Bob Baker and his partner Alton Wood found a run-down scenic shop in downtown Los Angeles to convert into what became a beloved theater where, for the next 5 decades, would surprise and delight guests with marionette shows. —Erica Olsen, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 20 Feb. 2026

Verb

Later, when the blue light is being run down Ilana’s body, her hospital gown is carefully place to avoid exposure. —Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

In the 20th, Breck Dunn made an excellent run down the near sideline and eventually found an unmarked Laura Niemeyer, who peppered a shot into the back of the net for the third Islander goal of the night. —Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for rundown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

rundown

1 of 3 noun

run·​down ˈrən-ˌdau̇n 

: an item by item report : summary

run-down

2 of 3 adjective

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: being in poor condition

a run-down farm

2

: being in or indicating poor health

that run-down feeling

run down

3 of 3 verb

ˈrən-ˈdau̇n

1

: to collide with and knock down

2

a

: to chase until exhausted or captured

b

: to find by search : trace the source of

3

: to stop operating because of the exhaustion of an energy source

the battery ran down