running

1 of 3

noun

run·​ning ˈrə-niŋ How to pronounce running (audio)
1
a
: the action of running
2
: physical condition for running
3

running

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
3
a
: incessant, continuous
a running battle
b
: made during the course of a process or activity
a running commentary on the game
4
: measured in a straight line
cost of lumber per running foot
5
a
: initiated or performed while running or with a running start
a running catch
a running jump
b
: of, relating to, or being a football play in which the ball is advanced by running rather than by passing
their running game was off
c
: designed for use by runners
a running track
running shoes
6
: fitted or trained for running rather than walking, trotting, or jumping
a running horse

running

3 of 3

adverb

: in succession : consecutively
three days running
Phrases
in the running
1
: competing in a contest
2
: having a chance to win a contest
out of the running
1
: not competing in a contest
2
: having no chance of winning a contest

Examples of running in a Sentence

Noun He took up running for exercise. They go running every evening. Adjective Never add fuel to a running engine. The farmer had a running battle with pests and disease. The major television stations provided running commentaries on the election results. She kept a running total of their expenses on the trip. Adverb He has won the competition three times running. he won the championship five times running
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The new version of the play clocks in at under three hours, including intermission, compared to the current running time of three-and-a-half hours. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024 Every album has had different songwriters, but one running theme from the very beginning is that Ben’s [Barlow, Neck Deep’s vocalist] older brother Seb — who now is in the band and plays bass — has produced everything since the first EPs. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
For the Rough Runner, Litchfield says the geometries are spot-on to all the research to fit a proper running gait, from heel strike angle to flexibility. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 While Trump was President, the Washington Post famously kept a running total of his false statements that reached into the thousands. Barry M. Mitnick / Made By History, TIME, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for running 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'running.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of running was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near running

Cite this Entry

“Running.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/running. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

running

1 of 3 noun
run·​ning
ˈrən-iŋ
: the action of running

running

2 of 3 adjective
1
: going on steadily : continuous
a running battle
2
: measured in a straight line
3
: done while running or with a running start
a running jump
4
: made or trained for running
a running track
running shoes
a running horse

running

3 of 3 adverb
: one after another : in a row : consecutively
for three days running

More from Merriam-Webster on running

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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