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
Synonyms
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
Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
The carjacking investigation isn’t his first run-in with federal agents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024
However, Haddish had a few more run-ins with the law and was arrested for a DUI in January 2022 and again in November 2023.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 May 2024
The cowboy, played by actor Madelyn Murphy, only had one health point left — the result of some unlucky dice rolls and a run-in with a group of dagger-wielding thieves in the first act.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 May 2024
In his run-ins with the law, that has meant using a public defender or representing himself.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 2 May 2024
And Roger is trying to help Conrad (Jon Michael Hill), a Black man who has been arrested after a racially fraught run-in with law enforcement.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The unexpected run-in leads to a possible big career break for Jay, who worries the deal may just cost him his soul.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 May 2024
Christina Applegate was still recovering from her first run-in with COVID-19 when another virus recently had her health in the toilet again.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 2 May 2024
Cat ambassadors run in the zoo's cheetah encounter, appear in classrooms and are trained to travel and walk on a leash.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
That much continued Wednesday night, when the Dodgers (20-13) tagged Arizona’s marquee offseason signing, Jordan Montgomery, with six runs in the first three innings while riding a strong start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto to their second shutout of an opponent this year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
The Guardians blew the game open with five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Kwan’s two-run double.
—Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Ryan Brasier was tagged with an insurance run in the ninth, raising his ERA to 5.00 in a continued regression from last year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Ice raced home, barely eluding the tag of catcher Shane Miranda and scoring the winning run in a 1-0 Western League win before a crowd of more than 400 at Dana Middle School.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Azle was able to score three runs in the sixth inning, but only one was earned.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Michelle Williams felt none of that after the woman convicted of hit and run in her sister's death was led away from a Milwaukee County courtroom Wednesday in handcuffs.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Volatile weather and run-ins with wildlife and plants, such as rattlesnakes, mountain lions and poison oak, are just some of the elements that can derail a trip.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
The carjacking investigation isn’t his first run-in with federal agents.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024
However, Haddish had a few more run-ins with the law and was arrested for a DUI in January 2022 and again in November 2023.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 May 2024
The cowboy, played by actor Madelyn Murphy, only had one health point left — the result of some unlucky dice rolls and a run-in with a group of dagger-wielding thieves in the first act.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 May 2024
In his run-ins with the law, that has meant using a public defender or representing himself.
—Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 2 May 2024
And Roger is trying to help Conrad (Jon Michael Hill), a Black man who has been arrested after a racially fraught run-in with law enforcement.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The unexpected run-in leads to a possible big career break for Jay, who worries the deal may just cost him his soul.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 May 2024
Christina Applegate was still recovering from her first run-in with COVID-19 when another virus recently had her health in the toilet again.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Verb
The ad will run in seven battleground states on various cable networks and will also air during the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 2 May 2024
Cat ambassadors run in the zoo's cheetah encounter, appear in classrooms and are trained to travel and walk on a leash.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
That much continued Wednesday night, when the Dodgers (20-13) tagged Arizona’s marquee offseason signing, Jordan Montgomery, with six runs in the first three innings while riding a strong start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto to their second shutout of an opponent this year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024
The Guardians blew the game open with five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Kwan’s two-run double.
—Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Ryan Brasier was tagged with an insurance run in the ninth, raising his ERA to 5.00 in a continued regression from last year.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Advertisement Ice raced home, barely eluding the tag of catcher Shane Miranda and scoring the winning run in a 1-0 Western League win before a crowd of more than 400 at Dana Middle School.
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Azle was able to score three runs in the sixth inning, but only one was earned.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
Michelle Williams felt none of that after the woman convicted of hit and run in her sister's death was led away from a Milwaukee County courtroom Wednesday in handcuffs.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'run-in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 10 May. 2024.
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