running mate

noun

1
2
: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable
3
: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket
especially : the candidate for vice president

Examples of running mate in a Sentence

When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson. inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the first time, Curry gets a full offseason of preparation alongside running mate Jimmy Butler. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 Alex Brandon | Getty Images Noem's memoir was released as she was being considered as a running mate for Trump. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025 Regardless, incumbent Democrat Gov. Maura Healey, seeking a second four-year term, will be tough to beat even if the Republican gubernatorial candidate has Bad Bunny as a running mate. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Kamala Harris also panned the performance of her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in the 2024 vice presidential debate. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for running mate

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of running mate was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

running mate

noun
: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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