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
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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 of runner from the Web
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The runner-up for France’s presidency, Marine Le Pen, leads a xenophobic party.
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Inherited runners-scored: Alexander 1-0, Moylan 2-0.
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A complete game seemed highly unlikely after Buffalo Grove put six runners on base over the first three innings, but Aguilar said he's built to go the distance, even on a hot July day.
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The Lying Detective Geoffrey Rush, Genius Ahmed, Turturro, and De Niro are veritable shoo-ins for their work in HBO projects, with Turturro positioned as something of a front-runner.
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SO ERA Miranda 5 5 6 6 2 6 4.15 Zych 2 1/3 0 0 0 0 4 2.42 Rzepczynski 1/3 1 0 0 1 1 3.31 Diaz 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 2 3.48 Pazos, L, 2-2 1/3 2 3 1 1 0 3.15 Vincent 2/3 1 0 0 0 1 2.20 Inherited runners-scored: Diaz 2-0, Vincent 2-1.
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The winner will be announced on Nov. 14, but both will be ambassadors at community events since the runner-up will become deputy honorary mayor.
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Robinson Cano’s booted ground ball — his second error of the series — allowed the leadoff runner to reach and put unnecessary pressure on the rookie Pazos, who had worked through the heart of Kansas City’s order on Monday.
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Cubs fan Emil Strandquist wants the moutza for former Cubs catcher Miguel Montero, who was shipped off to Toronto after complaining his pitchers couldn't hold runners on base.
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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