3
a
: incessant, continuous
a running battle
b
: made during the course of a process or activity
a running commentary on the game
4
: measured in a straight line
cost of lumber per running foot
5
a
: initiated or performed while running or with a running start
a running catch
a running jump
b
: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing
their running game was off
c
: designed for use by runners
a running track
running shoes
6
: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping
a running horse
: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Examples of running in a Sentence
Noun
He took up running for exercise.
They go running every evening.
Adjective
Never add fuel to a running engine.
The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease.
The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results.
She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip.
Adverb
He has won the competition three times running.
he won the championship five times running
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
The prototypical right tackle then was more of a road grader or mauler who would be a great option to run behind, one of the reasons people have said running games are often right-handed.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Art De Roché, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
For our running example of Google Ads, there are countless tools that will analyze your bidding strategy, ad content and more, digesting the numerous metrics provided by Google Ads into a simpler strategic direction.
—Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for running
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The likely teams headed to the Open Division include Venice, Sun Valley Poly, Sylmar, Banning and Cleveland, with Chatsworth, Carson and Bell in the running.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
The prototypical right tackle then was more of a road grader or mauler who would be a great option to run behind, one of the reasons people have said running games are often right-handed.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Adjective
Watkins can provide help against low blocks with his running and aerial ability, but a potential concern is his pressing.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
For our running example of Google Ads, there are countless tools that will analyze your bidding strategy, ad content and more, digesting the numerous metrics provided by Google Ads into a simpler strategic direction.
—Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for running
Cite this Entry
“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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