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run-up

1 of 2

noun

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
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.
Noun
The housing market has been slow even since a quick run-up in interest rates in 2022. Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2025 But what goes up can come down, too Gold's run-up can't last forever, though, and some pros say 2026 may be the year things stall out or even reverse course for the yellow metal. Aly J Yale, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
Forecasters say temperatures will run up to 20 degrees below average through Friday, with highs in the 20s and 30s across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025 Music is still central to that, and fans are all in, running up streams for his 2025 album The Last Wun. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for run-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of run-up was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Run-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/run-up. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

run up

verb
: to cause to pile up : accumulate
ran up a big telephone bill

More from Merriam-Webster on run-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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