runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
ˌrə-nər-ˈəp
plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp How to pronounce runner-up (audio)
ˌrə-nərz-ˈəp
also runner-ups
: the competitor that does not win first place in a contest
especially : one that finishes in second place

Examples of runner-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Runner-Up Trader Joe's Classic Potato Chips Ranked closely behind Lay's in our taste test with just one fewer first place vote, the runner-up in this very close race was Trader Joe's. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 The World Series winner receives 36% of the pool, while the runner-up gets 24%. Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Ivy Harrington from New Jersey and Chantéa McIntyre from Oregon were named first and second runners-up. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 Miss New Jersey, Ivy Harrington, was named the first runner-up. Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for runner-up

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of runner-up was in 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Runner-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/runner-up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

runner-up

noun
run·​ner-up
ˈrən-ə-ˌrəp
plural runners-up
: the competitor in a contest who finishes next to the winner

More from Merriam-Webster on runner-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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