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

Cramer's Charitable Trust previously owned Arm but sold the position to protect profits after its massive run-up. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Adams, 33, who led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches last season, said that’s the idea – continuing to build a connection with Stafford, who missed most of last year’s preseason run-up nursing a back issue. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

Pilots and flight attendants can run up against federal duty limits and rest rules. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

They were joined by residents who, neighborhood impacts aside, didn’t want another set of toll lanes because the express lanes running up I-77 north have not solved the congestion problem up there. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 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