run-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈrən-ˌəp 

1

: the act of running up something

2

: a usually sudden increase in volume or price

3

: a period immediately preceding an action or event

run up

2 of 2

verb

ran up; run up; running up; runs up

intransitive verb

: to grow rapidly : shoot up

transitive verb

1

: bid up

2

: to stitch together quickly

3

: to erect hastily

4

: to achieve by accumulating

ran up a big lead

Examples of run-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This was driven in large part by their coin and collectibles divisions, both of which have benefited from a huge run-up in prices in recent years. —Julie Brener Davich, ARTnews.com, 28 May 2026

That event is co-sponsored by the Sundance Film Festival as part of the programming run-up to its January debut in Boulder. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

Verb

But there are a lot of screens used for effects in the show, running up the walls of the theater, moving as giant panels on stage and providing narration from a digital blob — sorta Siri, sorta Tron, sorta all-knowing being. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

So Hendricks, who was tenured (therefore unfireable) decided to investigate how his employer could have run up a $26 million budget deficit. —Matt Schifrin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for run-up

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

Kids Definition

run up

verb

: to cause to pile up : accumulate

ran up a big telephone bill