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 of runner

• 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

Giancarlo Peris, a runner who in was the final torchbearer for the Rome Olympic Games in 1960, handed the lantern with the Olympic Flame to President of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, Giovanni Malagò, to light the cauldron. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

The joint book runners on the deal were BOC International Securities, China Merchants Securities, and GF Securities. —Lee Ying Shan,dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025

The four Group Stage matches are June 15 (Group H), June 21 (Group H), June 24 (Group C), June 27 (Group K); a Round of 32 match July 3 (Group J winner vs Group H runner up), a quarterfinal July 11 and the bronze medal game July 18. —Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025

Like Coleman, Boston’s size (6-4, 210) and physicality enable him to win more than his fair share of jump balls, but the Huskie wideout is a more polished route-runner, especially on slants and comebacks. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 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