running mate
noun
1
2
: a horse entered in a race to set the pace for a horse of the same owner or stable
3
: a candidate running for a subordinate place on a ticket
especially
: the candidate for vice president
Examples of running mate in a Sentence
When John F. Kennedy ran for president, his running mate was Lyndon Johnson.
inseparable running mates who first met when they were in elementary school
Recent Examples on the Web
Challenges are pending for Gregg Moore, who does not have a running mate listed, and Joseph Severino and his running mate, Rantch Isquith.
—
Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Dec. 2025
So far, the most national attention he’s received came in the summer of 2024, when Harris was considering him for her running mate.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 Nov. 2025
In 2000, Cheney agreed to lead the search for a running mate for Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush — and emerged as the top choice himself, going on to serve two terms as vice president.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
Kennedy won the 1960 election, and Boston Mayor Kevin White was nearly chosen as running mate for Democrat George McGovern in 1972.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for running mate
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Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 9 Dec. 2025
So far, the most national attention he’s received came in the summer of 2024, when Harris was considering him for her running mate.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 23 Nov. 2025
In 2000, Cheney agreed to lead the search for a running mate for Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush — and emerged as the top choice himself, going on to serve two terms as vice president.
—CBS News, 20 Nov. 2025
Kennedy won the 1960 election, and Boston Mayor Kevin White was nearly chosen as running mate for Democrat George McGovern in 1972.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for running mate
Cite this Entry
“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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