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
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
The film began its Oscar-qualifying run-in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles and now is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Nov. 2025
They were allowed to shoot Gabriel Basso, who plays the deputy national security advisor (Bigelow cast him after watching his turn in The Night Agent), running in front of the White House, but he wasn’t allowed to — even accidentally — step on the curb in front of the building.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for run-in
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Noun
Other unusual items she's found include a Merrimack College professor’s name badge and a cloth label with a name and number that turned out to be from someone who had previous run-ins with the law.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
The film began its Oscar-qualifying run-in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles and now is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Blake ran in the Democratic primary for mayor and cross-endorsed Mamdani.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Nov. 2025
They were allowed to shoot Gabriel Basso, who plays the deputy national security advisor (Bigelow cast him after watching his turn in The Night Agent), running in front of the White House, but he wasn’t allowed to — even accidentally — step on the curb in front of the building.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025
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 28 Nov. 2025.
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