1
British
: the final part of a race or racetrack
2
3
: something inserted as a substantial addition in copy or typeset matter
ran in; run in; running in; runs in
1
a
: to insert as additional matter
b
: to make (typeset matter) continuous without a paragraph or other break
2
somewhat old-fashioned
: to arrest for a usually minor offense
3
chiefly British
: to break in (a new machine) gradually by careful operation
: to pay a casual visit
Examples of run-in in a Sentence
Noun
the rival gangs had a bit of a run-in last night
Verb
I just thought I'd run in and pick up my package.
if we catch you shoplifting again, we're going to run you in
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
With this police run-in, Country Joe and the Fish received a slew of press, riling up the public ahead of their Woodstock performance.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Melissa Lockard, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Last week, 10 Republicans and Harris qualified to run in November's election for a full two-year term.
—Jeff Amy and Sophie Bates The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run-in
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Noun
Leaving a spacecraft in one doesn’t completely alleviate the risks of in-orbit collisions, and any run-ins present the possibility of junk spewing into other areas where active satellites are operating.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
With this police run-in, Country Joe and the Fish received a slew of press, riling up the public ahead of their Woodstock performance.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
With his team down by a run in the bottom of the ninth, Araúz pinch hit for Allen Córdoba and grounded out weakly to second base.
—Melissa Lockard, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Last week, 10 Republicans and Harris qualified to run in November's election for a full two-year term.
—Jeff Amy and Sophie Bates The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for run-in
Cite this Entry
“Run-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-in. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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