running mate

noun

1

: companion

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

Synonyms of running mate

• associate
• colleague
• friend
• buddy
• peer

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

Democrat Amy Acton is tapping former state party chairman David Pepper as her running mate in the 2026 race for governor. —Laura A. Bischoff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026

At the time, the mob that stormed the Capitol threatened to hang then-Vice President Mike Pence after Trump criticized his running mate for not seeking to block former President Biden’s win in the 2020 race. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2026

Interior running mate Christian Barmore will have opportunities to push around the Ravens’ offensive guards, both weak spots in their pass protection. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

The deal left his longtime running mate, Thousand Oaks native Trevor Moore, without his right-hand man. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for running mate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

running mate

noun

: a candidate running for a lesser office (as vice president) who is on the same ticket with the candidate for the top office