runner

noun

run·ner | \ ˈrə-nər

Definition of runner

1a : one that runs : racer

b : base runner

c : ballcarrier

2a : messenger

b : one that smuggles or distributes illicit or contraband goods (such as drugs, liquor, or guns)

3 : any of several large vigorous carangid fishes

4a : either of the longitudinal pieces on which a sled or sleigh slides

b : the part of a skate that slides on the ice : blade

c : the support of a drawer or a sliding door

5a : an elongated horizontal stem arising from the base of a plant especially : stolon sense 1a

b : a plant (such as a strawberry) that forms or spreads by means of runners

c : a twining vine (such as a scarlet runner bean)

6a : a long narrow carpet for a hall or staircase

b : a narrow decorative cloth cover for a table or dresser top

7 : an adjustable backstay running from mast to rail on a sail boat or ship

8 : a running shot in basketball

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about runner

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Examples of runner in a Sentence

The runner slid into third base. sent a runner to tell them that all was ready for the feast

Recent Examples on the Web

Green Book's Viggo Mortensen and Vice's Christian Bale emerge as the front-runners this year. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "See if Your 2019 Golden Globe Predictions Match Up With the Projected Winners," 5 Jan. 2019 And then, also not falling into the trap of only covering the Democratic front runners. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: NBC journalists Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell and Hallie Jackson on Recode Decode," 5 Dec. 2018 Many companies have been floated as front-runners over the last few months, including Denver, which was picked by the New York Times, New York City, as well as Atlanta and Chicago. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Amazon HQ2 winner appears to be both New York and Crystal City, Virginia," 6 Nov. 2018 Thomas Mallon would easily be the front-runner in any contest for poet laureate of Republican rule—except for two inconvenient circumstances. — Daniel Akst, WSJ, "Fictionalizing History, With Republicans at Center Stage," 1 Mar. 2019 Cassie is clearly the front-runner simply because of their body language and how Colton is with her, and then...there's Caitlin/Sasha Pieterse. — Amanda Mitchell, Marie Claire, "An Ode to the Glasses of This Week's Episode of 'The Bachelor'," 22 Jan. 2019 The younger Sanders, a legal services analyst, has repeatedly slammed Executive Councilor Chris Pappas, one of the two front-runners in the race, over his lack of support for a ‘Medicare for all’ single-payer health care plan. — Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, "Republicans see glimmer of hope in raucous, crowded, nasty New Hampshire House race," 10 Sep. 2018 Pizza Hut The pizza chain under Yum Brands might look like a front-runner. — Grace Schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Pizza Hut, Kroger, Republic Bank? Who wants Cardinal Stadium naming rights," 13 July 2018 Potential buyers include Royal Dutch Shell and the California oil major Chevron, but BP is thought to be the front-runner, Drillinginfo said. — Jordan Blum, San Antonio Express-News, "Oil, gas deal surge likely in coming months," 11 July 2018

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