runner

noun

run·​ner ˈrə-nər 

1

a

: one that runs : racer

b

: base runner

c

: ballcarrier

2

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

5

a

: 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)

6

a

: 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

• bootlegger
• contrabandist
• courier
• smuggler

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

Robert entered as a pinch runner in the eighth but was stranded on third. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

Lopez balked moments later as both runners moved up 90 feet in front of Vinnie Pasquantino. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2025

Nicky Vlastos, who drove in St. Paul’s second run in the third inning, hit a single to left to put two runners on with one out, but one was all the Falcons needed. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

Singles by Gavin Sheets and Jake Cronenworth gave the Padres runners at the corners with one out. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing runner

• base runner
• blockade-runner
• do a runner
• front-runner
• rainbow runner
• runner bean
• runner's high
• runner-up
• scarlet runner bean
• show runner
• stretch runner

Rhymes for runner

• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• tonner
• forerunner

Kids Definition

runner

noun

run·​ner ˈrən-ər 

1

a

: one that runs

b

: base runner

2

: messenger

3

: a thin piece or part on which something slides

4

a

: a slender creeping stem that arises from the base of a plant

especially : stolon

b

: a plant (as a strawberry) that forms or spreads by runners

5

a

: a long narrow carpet (as for a hall)

b

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