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
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.
The president ultimately cleared the way for his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, to take his place at the top of the ticket. Chris Cameron, New York Times, 17 May 2025 The biggest of them all, Joe Rogan, spent the final weeks of the campaign giving many hours of fawning airtime to Trump—and to his running mate, J. D. Vance, and his key allies, such as Elon Musk—before endorsing Trump on the eve of the election. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 Robby Soave Robby Soave delivers radar on Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) admitting why former Vice President Kamala Harris chose him to be her running mate. The Hill, 1 May 2025 In the short term, Harmon will be a running mate with Heyward. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for running mate

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of running mate was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Running mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running%20mate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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