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

The Dodgers were hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Souza and catcher Parker Rowland got down sacrifice bunts to advance runners. —Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024

Trout had been 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position before the homer. —Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 16 Apr. 2024

The top performing men’s runner from the US was CJ Albertson who finished in seventh with an unofficial time of 2:09:53. —Ben Morse, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

Boston Marathon runners and spectators who fell in love with Spencer over the years helped raise the funds needed to create and erect the statue, per WBZ News. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

With runners on second and third, Riley Adams chopped a grounder to third that was fielded by J.D. Davis. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

With runners on second and third, Gammill blooped a single between three Tigers in shallow left-center field to double the lead. —Ethan Westerman, arkansasonline.com, 6 Apr. 2024

Hunter Renfroe saves a run The White Sox scored a run in the sixth inning and had runners on the corners with one out. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

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

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