Definition of runner
1a : one that runs : racerb : base runnerc : ballcarrier
2a : messengerb : 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 slidesb : the part of a skate that slides on the ice : bladec : the support of a drawer or a sliding door
5a : an elongated horizontal stem arising from the base of a plant; especially : stolon 1ab : a plant (such as a strawberry) that forms or spreads by means of runnersc : a twining vine (such as a scarlet runner bean)
6a : a long narrow carpet for a hall or staircaseb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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 of runner from the Web
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South Alabama signed Hardy with the idea of his being a situational player, perhaps working his way into a role as a late-game pinch-runner or platoon hitter against left-handed pitching.
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Particularly galling for Arsenal fans this season was to finish below north London rival Tottenham, the runner-up, for the first time in 22 years.
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The two-run error sent the game into a five-inning slog during which the Brewers got runners on first and second with one out in the 10th, a threat that was shut down when Smoker struck out Keon Broxton and Thames.
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The 5-foot-10, 240-pound Stewart is an entirely differently runner than the smaller McCaffrey.
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The Trojans stranded three runners, including two in scoring position, in the first two innings.
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A former executive at Goldman Sachs and Barack Obama’s ambassador to Germany, Murphy is the front runner in the Democrats’ June 6 primary.
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Sprinting ahead: The Mid-Suburban League's reputation as a distance-running hotbed may be getting a makeover after MSL runners swept the Class 3A sprints.
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The starting blocks helped runners take the crouching position developed in the late 19th century by American and Australian sprinters.
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.
First Known Use of runner
14th century
RUNNER Defined for English Language Learners
runner
playDefinition of runner for English Language Learners
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: a person who runs as part of a sport, for exercise, or in a race
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: an animal (such as a horse) that runs in a race
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: a person who delivers messages, reports, materials, or products either within a business or organization or to outside locations
RUNNER Defined for Kids
runner
playDefinition of runner for Students
1 : a person or animal that runs
2 : a thin piece or part on or in which something slides the runners on a sled
3 : messenger
4 : a slender creeping branch of a plant that roots at the end or at the joints to form new plants
5 : a long narrow carpet (as for a hall)
Learn More about runner
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See words that rhyme with runner Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for runner Spanish Central: Translation of runner Nglish: Translation of runner for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of runner for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about runner
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