runner-up

noun

run·​ner-up ˈrə-nər-ˌəp 

ˌrə-nər-ˈəp

plural runners-up ˈrə-nərz-ˌəp 

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

This was the second runner-up finish for Cease, who also placed second while pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2022. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

With 27 automatic bids, chances for an at-large bid for a NESCAC runner-up are slim. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 12 Nov. 2026

Fellow unanimous Cy Young winner and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski and Toronto’s Dylan Cease, the runner-up to Schlittler in the AL, were among the other First Team starting pitchers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026

The son of former NBA dunk contest runner-up Chris Carr, Lakers rookie Cameron Carr envisioned his first NBA points coming on a lob. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for runner-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

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