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

Kiké Hernández advanced Pages and automatic runner Michael Conforto to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025

In 15 career at-bats against Burnes, Alonso has gone yard three times and driven in seven runners. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

The athlete’s ability to shut out the massive Derby chaff and focus on the job at hand is one of the three great pillars, along with athletic talent honed by careful conditioning, that makes a Derby runner. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Orioles closer Félix Bautista then put the Yankees, who went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on, down in the ninth. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 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